the prevalence of

USAGE SUMMARY

"the prevalence of" is a perfectly correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the extent of something, like a wide distribution of something or a high rate of something. For example: "The prevalence of drug use in this city is alarming."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The prevalence of B.Y.O.

The New York Times

Hence the prevalence of dashboard cameras.

The New York Times

I blame the prevalence of electronic communications.

The New York Times

Another problem is the prevalence of counterfeits.

The Economist

You lament the prevalence of extreme gerrymandering.

The New York Times

(That explains the prevalence of spirits).

The New York Times - Travel

The prevalence of functional constipation was 26.2%.

Nature

Fombonne, E. The prevalence of autism.

Nature

The prevalence of myopia is increasing globally.

Nature

The prevalence of oppressive heat and humidity.

Yale University

There are many reasons for the prevalence of abortion here.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the prevalence of", ensure that the noun following 'of' is specific and well-defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying 'the prevalence of problems', specify 'the prevalence of data security problems'.

Common error

Avoid using "the prevalence of" with vague or overly broad terms. Instead of stating 'the prevalence of negativity is increasing', specify 'the prevalence of negative sentiment in online reviews is increasing'. This adds clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the prevalence of" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces the idea of how widespread or common something is. Ludwig AI shows that it is used to describe the extent of various phenomena, from diseases to behaviors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the prevalence of" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to indicate how common or widespread something is. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its frequency is very common across varied contexts, including science, news, and academia. When using this phrase, it is beneficial to ensure clarity by specifying the subject following 'of'. Alternatives such as "the frequency of" or "the extent of" can be used depending on the nuance desired. Keep in mind that "prevalence" (noun) should not be confused with "prevalent" (adjective). The phrase is most effectively employed when the subject is well-defined, as this adds clarity and impact to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the frequency of

This alternative focuses on how often something occurs.

the incidence of

This phrase is often used in medical or scientific contexts to describe how often a disease or condition appears.

the extent of

This alternative emphasizes the scope or range of something.

the rate of

This indicates a measure, quantity, or frequency, typically one measured against some other quantity or measure.

the degree of

This alternative implies the intensity or level to which something exists or occurs.

the commonness of

This highlights how widespread or typical something is.

the pervasiveness of

This suggests that something is widespread and present everywhere.

the proportion of

This indicates a part, share, or number considered in comparative relation to a whole.

the ubiquity of

This implies that something is present everywhere or is very common.

the distribution of

This focuses on how something is spread or scattered.

FAQs

How can I use "the prevalence of" in a sentence?

Use "the prevalence of" to describe how common or widespread something is. For example, "the prevalence of diabetes is increasing globally".

What can I say instead of "the prevalence of"?

You can use alternatives like "the frequency of", "the incidence of", or "the extent of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "the prevalence of" or "the prevalent of"?

"The prevalence of" is correct. "Prevalence" is a noun referring to how common something is. "Prevalent" is an adjective meaning widespread or common and requires a different sentence structure.

What's the difference between "the prevalence of" and "the rate of"?

"The prevalence of" refers to the total number of cases of a condition or phenomenon at a specific time, while "the rate of" usually implies a measurement over a period. For instance, you might discuss the prevalence of a disease in a country versus the rate at which new cases are appearing.