sweep the globe

USAGE SUMMARY

"sweep the globe" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe something that has a widespread or global impact. Example: The new social media platform quickly gained popularity and swept the globe, with users from all corners of the world signing up to join.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

They were the first documented cases of the HIV epidemic that was to sweep the globe.

The Guardian

Nobody is pretending that rugby league is about to sweep the globe.

The Guardian - Sport

Everyone must use less water if famine, pestilence and mass migration are not to sweep the globe.

The Economist

It was one of those American innovations, like Nascar or monolingualism, that failed to sweep the globe.

The New Yorker

In a world where digital innovation can sweep the globe in months, the NHS is one of the most non-viral institutions in the world.

The Guardian

The Josephs of Manhattan and Massachusetts are a loving clan of American radicals, some of whom are dyed-in-the-wool Marxists still expecting a worker-led revolution to sweep the globe at any minute.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Portugal's 1974 revolution inaugurated a wave of democratization that swept the globe.

The New York Times

Ten months ago, a slogan swept the globe : "Je suis Charlie".

Independent

As a financial crisis swept the globe, unemployment soared, house prices and stock markets collapsed.

The Guardian - Business

"Vidal Sassoon: The Movie" isn't just the story of a brilliant fashion idea that swept the globe.

The New York Times

In the wake of the financial crisis that swept the globe in 2008, populist sentiment was once more on the rise.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sweep the globe" to describe phenomena that affect a large number of people or places worldwide, especially when emphasizing rapid or widespread impact.

Common error

Avoid using "sweep the globe" excessively in your writing; vary your vocabulary by using alternatives like "spread worldwide" or "become a global phenomenon" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sweep the globe" functions as a verb phrase. It typically follows a noun or noun phrase indicating the subject that is spreading or impacting the world, as seen in Ludwig's examples where trends or diseases are said to "sweep the globe". It indicates an action with global reach.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

23%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sweep the globe" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the rapid and widespread dissemination or impact of something on a global scale. Ludwig's analysis shows that the phrase is used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business writing, with a neutral to formal tone. While effective, it's important to avoid overuse and consider alternatives such as "spread worldwide" or "become a global phenomenon" to maintain variety in writing. Ludwig AI confirms that "sweep the globe" is suitable for describing trends, diseases, and other phenomena affecting a large number of people or places worldwide.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spread worldwide

Replaces "sweep" with a more general term "spread" and uses "worldwide" instead of "the globe" to denote global reach.

gain global traction

Focuses on the gaining of momentum on a global scale, implying acceptance and adoption.

become a global phenomenon

Emphasizes the impact and widespread popularity of something on a global level.

take the world by storm

Uses a more figurative expression to describe a sudden and overwhelming impact.

pervade the earth

Emphasizes the thorough and widespread presence across the planet.

engulf the planet

Implies a complete and encompassing effect on a global scale.

dominate globally

Highlights the aspect of control or influence on a worldwide scale.

extend globally

Focuses on the reach and scope of something as it spreads across the world.

blanket the world

Conveys the idea of covering the entire globe, often used metaphorically.

permeate across the world

Implies that something is gradually infiltrating and becoming widespread globally.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "sweeps the globe"?

When something "sweeps the globe", it means it becomes very popular or widespread across the world, affecting many people or places quickly.

How can I use "sweep the globe" in a sentence?

You can use "sweep the globe" to describe the rapid spread of a trend, idea, disease, or phenomenon. For example, "The new dance craze quickly "swept the globe"."

What are some alternatives to saying "sweep the globe"?

You can use alternatives like "spread worldwide", "become a global phenomenon", or "take the world by storm" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "sweep the globe" or "sweep the world"?

"Sweep the globe" and "sweep the world" are often interchangeable, but "sweep the globe" might be preferred when emphasizing a geographical or physical spread, while "sweep the world" can be used more broadly to indicate widespread influence or impact.