to spread

USAGE SUMMARY

"to spread" is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to indicate a variety of different concepts. For example, you could say: "The news quickly spread throughout the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Word began to spread.

The New York Times - Sports

To spread my wings.

The New York Times

Expect the buzz to spread.

The Economist

We're trying to spread love.

The New York Times

The jubilation began to spread.

The New Yorker

The swelling continued to spread.

The New Yorker

I want to spread awareness.

The New York Times - Magazine

The unrest continues to spread.

The Economist

Germs are hard to spread.

The Economist

We need to spread.

The Guardian

It needed to spread, to sink in.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to spread", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Choose a synonym if you need to emphasize a particular aspect of spreading, such as dissemination (for information) or extension (for physical objects).

Common error

In formal writing, avoid overusing "to spread" when more precise verbs could offer greater clarity and impact. For instance, instead of saying "to spread awareness", consider "to raise awareness" or "to promote awareness."

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to spread" primarily functions as a verb, indicating an action of extending, distributing, or disseminating. Ludwig AI provides examples where it signifies both physical spreading (e.g., "to spread butter") and abstract dissemination (e.g., "to spread the word").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

8%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to spread" is a versatile infinitive phrase used to describe the act of extending, distributing, or disseminating something, both physically and abstractly. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its common usage across diverse contexts, from news and media to wikis and formal business communications. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and functions effectively in various registers, though synonyms may offer greater precision in certain situations. It is important to consider the specific context and desired nuance when choosing whether "to spread" is the most appropriate phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to disseminate

Focuses on the act of distributing or scattering widely, often information or ideas.

to propagate

Emphasizes the act of reproducing or multiplying, often in a biological or informational context.

to circulate

Highlights the movement of something among people or places.

to diffuse

Suggests a gradual spreading or scattering throughout an area or substance.

to extend

Implies stretching out or increasing the range or scope of something.

to broaden

Focuses on widening or increasing the extent or scope of something.

to overlay

Implies covering a surface with a layer.

to daub

Refers to applying a substance roughly or carelessly.

to coat

Suggests covering something with a layer of a substance for protection or decoration.

to publicize

Emphasizes making something known to the public.

FAQs

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

You can use "to spread" to indicate distributing something over an area, like "to spread butter on toast", or to describe the dissemination of information, like "to spread the news".

What are some alternatives to "to spread" when talking about information?

Alternatives include "to disseminate", "to propagate", or "to circulate", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "to spread the word"?

Yes, "to spread the word" is an idiomatic expression meaning to communicate a message to many people.

What's the difference between "to spread" and "to distribute"?

"To spread" often implies a less organized or more general distribution, while "to distribute" suggests a more structured and even allocation.