wide spread

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wide spread" is not correct in this context; it should be "widespread." You can use "widespread" to describe something that is distributed over a large area or is common in many places.
Example: "The disease has become widespread in the region, affecting thousands of people."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

A wide spread of investments is again seen as attractive.

The Guardian - Money

But an alarmingly wide spread is partly down to geography.

The Guardian

The devastation is wide, spread across six Philippine islands.

The Economist

wood fired power station – utilization is wide spread as well.

International Journal of Mineral Processing

PBIB designs are extremely wide spread in literature.

Computers and Electronics in Agriculture

"Here we are washing the wall to get a wide spread of even, soft light".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Some groups are advocating wide-spread testing?

The New York Times - Health

Up to Olympus from the wide-spread earth.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As expected, wide-spread literacy did not predict growth.

The Economist

She writes that there were reports of "wide-spread rigging preparations" for the 2008 elections.

The New York Times - Books

Of course, these figures don't take into account unrecorded consumption which is common and wide-spread.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the distribution of physical objects, consider if "broad distribution" or "extensive reach" might be more appropriate. "Widespread" commonly describes phenomena or abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid writing "wide spread" when you mean something is generally prevalent or distributed. The correct form is the single word "widespread". For example, write "widespread use" instead of "wide spread use".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wide spread", though often encountered, functions incorrectly as an adjective modifying a noun. It attempts to describe the extent or prevalence of something. Ludwig AI indicates it should be replaced with the single word "widespread".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

40%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "wide spread" appears frequently in various sources, including news, science, and academia, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct and preferred term is the single word "widespread", as Ludwig AI confirms. Using "widespread" ensures clarity and grammatical accuracy when conveying that something is common or distributed across a large area. Alternatives like "broad distribution" or "extensive reach" may be suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widespread

Single word that replaces the two-word phrase to correct the grammar.

broad distribution

Focuses on the extent to which something is distributed.

extensive reach

Highlights the scope or range of influence.

common occurrence

Emphasizes the frequency with which something happens.

general prevalence

Indicates widespread existence or acceptance.

rampant

Implies an unchecked or unrestrained spread.

pervasive

Highlights the deep and thorough penetration of something.

extensive diffusion

Focuses on the process of spreading widely.

far-reaching

Emphasizes the wide impact or consequences.

across the board

Indicates that something applies to everyone or everything.

FAQs

What is the correct way to write "wide spread"?

The correct way to write the phrase, when intending to convey that something is common or distributed over a large area, is "widespread". "Wide spread" as two separate words is generally considered grammatically incorrect in this context.

Is "wide spread" ever correct?

While the phrase "wide spread" is generally not used to mean something is common, it could be used literally to describe something with a significant physical width or spacing. However, this is rare and typically other phrasings are preferred for clarity.

What can I say instead of "wide spread"?

You can use alternatives like "widespread", "broad distribution", or "extensive reach" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "wide spread" and "widespread"?

"Wide spread" is generally an incorrect phrasing when you mean something is common or distributed over a large area. The correct term is the single word "widespread".