very prevalent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very prevalent" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that something is widespread or widely accepted. Example: "In today's society, social media usage is very prevalent among young adults."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is it very prevalent?

The New York Times

It's still very prevalent.

The Guardian

"It is very, very prevalent".

The New York Times

Gang violence was very prevalent.

The Guardian - Music

Butterflies are also very prevalent in Uganda.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The stereotype is very prevalent in Bollywood.

The New York Times

Fear is very prevalent in Haiti, yes.

The New Yorker

"I think it's very prevalent," the general manager said.

The New York Times - Sports

There has always been a bit of anthropomorphisation – now it is very prevalent.

The Guardian - Film

An orange tone, the colour of Lucozade, is very prevalent, as is yellow.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Starting a clean sheet, a new you, seems to be a very prevalent idea".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very prevalent", ensure the context clearly establishes what is widespread. For example, "Misinformation is "very prevalent" online" is more effective than just stating something is "very prevalent".

Common error

Avoid using "very prevalent" in situations where the specific item or phenomenon being described is unclear or undefined. Instead, provide specific details to enhance clarity and impact. For example, instead of saying "Problems are "very prevalent"", specify "Technical glitches are "very prevalent" during peak hours".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very prevalent" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is widespread or commonly occurring. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very prevalent" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that serves to emphasize the common occurrence of something. As highlighted by Ludwig, its meaning is well understood. It's important to provide context to clarify what exactly is widespread and to avoid overuse in vague situations. The phrase is suitable for various registers, but is most often found in news and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral formality level. While alternatives like "highly common" or "extremely widespread" exist, "very prevalent" remains a straightforward and effective choice for conveying commonness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly common

Replaces "prevalent" with "common" and "very" with "highly", altering the intensity slightly.

extremely widespread

Substitutes "prevalent" with "widespread", emphasizing the broad distribution of something.

remarkably frequent

Replaces "prevalent" with "frequent", highlighting the repeated occurrence of something.

quite pervasive

Employs "pervasive" instead of "prevalent", suggesting something is spread throughout.

noticeably common

Uses "noticeably" to emphasize that the commonness is easily observed.

predominantly occurring

Focuses on the act of occurring, indicating that something happens more than others.

significantly present

Highlights the notable presence of something, rather than its frequency.

largely existing

Emphasizes the broad existence of something, suggesting it is widespread.

widely circulating

Implies that something is spreading or passing from person to person.

commonly encountered

Focuses on the frequency with which something is experienced or met.

FAQs

How can I use "very prevalent" in a sentence?

Use "very prevalent" to describe something common or widespread. For example, "The use of smartphones is "very prevalent" among teenagers".

What can I say instead of "very prevalent"?

You can use alternatives like "highly common", "extremely widespread", or "remarkably frequent" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "very prevalent"?

While "prevalent" already implies a high degree of commonness, adding "very" can emphasize the extent. However, consider whether a stronger, more descriptive adjective might be more effective.

What's the difference between "very prevalent" and "widely accepted"?

"Very prevalent" refers to something that is widespread or common, while "widely accepted" refers to something that is generally approved or believed. They are not interchangeable as one focuses on frequency, and the other on agreement.