widespread activity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widespread activity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or events that occur extensively or are prevalent in a particular area or context. Example: "The widespread activity of volunteers during the disaster relief efforts made a significant impact on the affected communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

One Western diplomat called the threats "the most widespread activity against Americans that we are seeing anywhere in the world".

The New York Times

Widespread activity in many industries offset a big drop in commercial aircraft.

The New York Times

Marble extraction is an economically important and widespread activity in Greece that exists since historical times.

Landscape and Urban Planning

There had also been suggestions of further reductions but a spokesman for Capita said: Any speculation around widespread activity is incorrect.

The Guardian - Business

Postwar planning became a widespread activity following economic stagnation before World War I and the Great Depression.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The legacy of such once widespread activity is a plethora of relic charcoal hearths (RCHs1), where soil shows a thick, black, charcoal-rich top horizon.

Geoderma

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Campe's widespread activities on behalf of children, though less commercially motivated, recall Newbery's.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A janitor at WNYC, the public radio station, has been charged with stealing a list of some of the station's donors and selling it to an identity-theft ring with widespread activities, authorities said yesterday.

The New York Times

Considering the manifold mechanisms and organs that are involved in estrogen action and the implication of estrogens in human female physiology, innovative approaches are required to shed light on the widespread activities of estrogen receptors in woman physiology.

The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Among these, horticulture and animal husbandry are the most widespread activities (40%% of the farms), together with nursery farming, viticulture and mixed farming (Table 3).

Agricultural and Food Economics

Land use changes from forests to farmland and grazing land and subsequent changes in soil physical and chemical properties that results in soil fertility decline are widespread activities in Ethiopia.

Environmental Systems Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the scope of an event or phenomenon, use "widespread activity" to emphasize its broad reach and presence. For instance, instead of saying "activity is all over the place", try "widespread activity" to sound more precise and professional.

Common error

Avoid using "widespread activity" when describing localized events or activities. The term implies a broad scope, so using it for something limited can be misleading. For example, don't say "widespread activity of birds in my backyard"; instead, use "bird activity".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widespread activity" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where 'widespread' acts as an adjective modifying 'activity'. It describes the extent or scope of an action or process. Ludwig confirms this usage in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

58%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "widespread activity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase across various domains. As Ludwig confirms, it functions as a noun phrase emphasizing the extensive nature of an action or event. Its primary function is to inform or describe the extent of activity, with a neutral to professional register that makes it suitable for news, scientific, and academic contexts. While common, it is important to use it appropriately by ensuring the activity genuinely has a broad scope and is not merely localized. Consider alternatives like "extensive engagement" or "pervasive trend" for slightly different nuances. Remember to avoid overuse in contexts where the activity isn't truly widespread.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extensive engagement

Focuses more on involvement and participation.

broad participation

Emphasizes the wide range of people or entities involved.

common occurrence

Highlights the frequency with which something happens.

rampant practice

Suggests an activity that is widespread and often unchecked or negative.

pervasive trend

Implies a widespread pattern or shift in behavior or phenomena.

general prevalence

Focuses on the widespread existence or acceptance of something.

universal application

Highlights that something is applied or used everywhere.

across-the-board implementation

Indicates comprehensive application or adoption of a process or policy.

far-reaching impact

Emphasizes the broad and significant effects of an activity.

wholesale adoption

Suggests complete or widespread acceptance and use.

FAQs

How can I use "widespread activity" in a sentence?

You can use "widespread activity" to describe something happening extensively across a region, within an industry, or among a population. For example: "There is "widespread activity" among volunteers during the disaster relief efforts".

What's a more formal alternative to "widespread activity"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "extensive engagement", "broad participation", or "pervasive trend" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "widespread activity" the same as "common occurrence"?

While similar, "widespread activity" suggests a broad geographical or operational range of an action or event, whereas "common occurrence" emphasizes the frequency with which something happens. The best choice depends on whether you want to highlight scope or frequency.

What is the difference between "widespread activity" and "far-reaching impact"?

"Widespread activity" describes the extent to which an action is happening. On the other hand, "far-reaching impact" highlights the broad and significant effects or consequences resulting from an action or event. You would use the former to describe the spread of an action and the latter to describe the effects of said action.