spread to

USAGE SUMMARY

'spread to' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is growing or extending to a new place. For example, "The new technology quickly spread to other countries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The fad spread to America.

The New York Times - Books

Contagion spread to Italy.

The Guardian - Business

It needed to spread, to sink in.

The New Yorker

Soon, his interest spread to beetles.

The New Yorker

The instability could spread to Jordan.

Independent

Within days, it had spread to Liberia.

The New Yorker

The cancer had spread to his brain.

The New York Times - Health

Then it spread to the right eye.

The New Yorker

To spread to London Bedd bugs.

The New Yorker

From there it spread to the mainstream.

The New York Times - Arts

The lawlessness soon spread to other cities.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spread to" when describing the expansion of something from one area or group to another. Be specific about what is spreading and where it is spreading to for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "spread to" with overly abstract subjects without a clear, concrete connection. For instance, instead of saying "Happiness spread to the concept of justice", rephrase to something more direct and logical, such as "The idea of happiness influenced discussions on justice."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spread to" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the expansion or dissemination of something from one point or area to another. This use aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "spread to" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe the expansion or dissemination of something from one area or group to another. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It is most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedia, and science contexts, indicating a neutral register. When using "spread to", ensure clarity by specifying what is spreading and where it is heading. While generally safe, avoid overuse with abstract subjects to maintain logical coherence. Alternative phrases include "extend to" and "expand to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extend to

Indicates a broader reach or application, similar to "spread to" but can also imply a formal expansion of rules or policies.

expand to

Focuses on growth in size, scope, or influence reaching a new area, mirroring the core meaning of "spread to".

reach to

Emphasizes the act of arriving at a destination or target, comparable to "spread to" when referring to influence or impact.

diffuse into

Suggests a gradual permeation or mixing within a new area, similar to how a concept or trend might "spread to".

permeate to

Implies a more thorough and pervasive penetration into a new area, akin to how a strong idea might "spread to".

propagate to

Refers to the transmission or reproduction of something to a new area, like news or disease could "spread to".

disseminate to

Highlights the act of widely distributing information or ideas, similar to how propaganda could "spread to".

transmit to

Indicates the conveyance of something from one place to another, like a signal or a disease could "spread to".

pass on to

Suggests the transfer of something, like a tradition or a disease, to a new group or generation, subtly similar to how news can "spread to".

carry over to

Implies that something has an effect or influence in another situation or place, in line with how a trend may "spread to".

FAQs

How can I use "spread to" in a sentence?

Use "spread to" to describe how something expands or extends from one place, group, or idea to another. For example, "The rumor quickly "spread to" all departments."

What are some alternatives to "spread to"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "spread to" include "extend to", "expand to", "reach to", or "diffuse into".

Is it correct to say "spread into" instead of "spread to"?

While "spread to" indicates movement towards a destination, "spread into" suggests integration or permeation within something. The correct choice depends on whether you are emphasizing the destination or the process of integration.

Can "spread to" be used in both literal and figurative contexts?

Yes, "spread to" can be used both literally, as in "The fire "spread to" neighboring buildings", and figuratively, as in "The enthusiasm "spread to" the entire team".