the spread of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the spread of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the distributing of something, often over a wide area. For example, "The spread of the virus has been of great concern to health officials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Through the spread of "niceness"?

The New Yorker

One reason is the spread of democracy.

The Economist

The spread of regulation is another.

The Economist

Fighting the spread of AIDS in Africa.

The New York Times - Books

The spread of democracy?

The New Yorker

The spread of P.

The New Yorker

The spread of insecticide resistance?

The Guardian

Increase the spread of benevolence.

The Guardian - Books

The Liberty Party opposed the spread of slavery.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Amazon and the spread of health misinformation.

Harvard University

The Spread of the Sapphire/Slammer Worm.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "the spread of" something, be specific about what is spreading, the rate of its spread, and the factors influencing it. This will provide clarity and context for your readers.

Common error

Avoid using "the spread of" in vague contexts. Instead of saying "the spread of ideas is important", specify which ideas and why their spread matters. For example, "The spread of misinformation can have serious consequences" is more precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the spread of" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It acts as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to the process or extent of something becoming more widespread. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

27%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the spread of" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe the expansion or distribution of something across a given area or population. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, highlighting its relevance in formal communication. To enhance clarity, specify what is spreading, and avoid overgeneralizations. Alternatives such as "the dissemination of" or "the propagation of" can add nuance, but "the spread of" itself remains a clear and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the dissemination of

Emphasizes the act of distributing information or knowledge widely.

the propagation of

Focuses on the process of something increasing or multiplying.

the diffusion of

Highlights the process of something spreading out from a central point.

the expansion of

Implies an increase in size, volume, or scope.

the increase in

Focuses on the growth or augmentation of something.

the outbreak of

Suggests a sudden and widespread occurrence, typically of something negative.

the escalation of

Implies a rapid increase in intensity or severity.

the advance of

Conveys a forward movement or progression.

the reach of

Indicates the extent or scope of something's influence or effect.

the transmission of

Emphasizes the passing on of something from one entity to another.

FAQs

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

You can use "the spread of" to describe how something becomes more widely distributed or prevalent. For example, "The health organization aims to prevent the spread of infectious diseases."

What's a good alternative to "the spread of"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "the spread of" include "the dissemination of", "the propagation of", or "the diffusion of".

Is it better to say "spread of" or "spreading of"?

"Spread of" is generally more concise and commonly used as a noun phrase. "Spreading of" emphasizes the ongoing process. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What factors influence "the spread of" a virus?

Many factors can affect the spread of a virus, including population density, hygiene practices, travel patterns, and the availability of vaccines or treatments.