widely circulated

USAGE SUMMARY

"widely circulated" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that is distributed among a large number of people. For example, "The new magazine was widely circulated at bookstores across the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The story, Crick says, was widely circulated.

The New Yorker

The picture was widely circulated.

The New York Times - Arts

They were widely circulated throughout Britain and Europe.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These abuses are well-documented, and the reports widely circulated.

The Guardian - Opinion

True, the document, though widely circulated, was only a draft.

The New York Times - Arts

(He successfully sued Bild, Europe's most widely circulated newspaper).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The tweet was widely-circulated, and given Cox's experience, provoked thought.

TechCrunch

In September 2012, Y Combinator's Paul Graham penned a widely-circulated essay titled "Startups = Growth".

TechCrunch

I read Colby King's widely-circulated op-ed with some consternation.

Huffington Post

For the uninitiated, Phrack is a widely circulated ezine written by and for the hacker community.

Vice

The recently published database BLAD (14) contains information only about the 'widely circulated β-lactamases'.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "widely circulated" when you want to emphasize that information, a document, or an image has reached a large audience. Be specific about what is being circulated and, if relevant, the medium through which it's being spread (e.g., "widely circulated online").

Common error

Avoid using "widely circulated" when the context already implies widespread distribution, such as when discussing mass media. Instead of saying "the news was widely circulated on television", consider "the news was broadcast on television" for a more concise statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widely circulated" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the extent to which something, such as information or a document, has been distributed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

19%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "widely circulated" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that describes something that has been distributed to a large audience. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and encyclopedic content. The phrase's purpose is to convey the extent of distribution and, often, to imply that the information is well-known. While "widely circulated" is generally neutral to formal in register, it's important to avoid redundancy and choose more concise wording when the context already implies broad dissemination. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "widely circulated" to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in wide circulation

A slightly more formal way of expressing that something is being circulated to many people.

broadly disseminated

Emphasizes the act of spreading information extensively.

extensively distributed

Underscores the reach and scope of the distribution.

commonly known

Focuses on the state of being generally recognized or understood.

generally accepted

Highlights widespread agreement or belief in something.

making the rounds

Suggests that information is spreading from person to person.

sweeping across

Conveys a sense of rapid and widespread dissemination.

pervasive

Indicates that something is present or noticeable throughout an area or group.

universal knowledge

Suggests that information is known by everyone.

making waves

Implies something is getting attention and spreading quickly.

FAQs

How can I use "widely circulated" in a sentence?

You can use "widely circulated" to describe information, documents, or images that have been distributed to a large audience. For example, "The memo was "widely circulated" among employees" or "A photo of the event was "widely circulated" on social media".

What are some alternatives to "widely circulated"?

Alternatives include "broadly disseminated", "commonly known", or "extensively distributed". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "widely circulating"?

While "widely circulated" is the more common and grammatically standard form, "widely circulating" can be used to describe something in the process of being distributed, although it is less frequently used. A more typical construction to convey that idea is using the passive voice, e.g. "the rumour is being "widely circulated"".

What does it mean when something is described as "widely circulated"?

When something is described as "widely circulated", it means that it has been distributed to a large number of people, suggesting broad awareness or knowledge of it. It emphasizes the reach and extent of the distribution.