SPREAD OUT

National Parks

📖 Definition

‘Spread out’ means to extend or expand over a larger area or period of time. It can refer to distributing things or activities evenly.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

‘Spread out’ means to extend or expand over a larger area or period of time. It can refer to distributing things or activities evenly.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
No
This phrasal verb cannot be separated by direct objects.
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Neutral
Used in both formal and informal contexts without changing meaning.
Transitive
No
It does not require a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple spread out They spread out across the field to find more clues.
Past Simple spread out The team spread out across the country over the years.
Present Continuous spreading out The rumors are spreading out quickly.
Present Perfect have spread out The families have spread out to new neighborhoods.

💡 When to Use

distributing resources
Use when something is being distributed or deployed over a larger area or time to increase efficiency.
Example: "The supplies were spread out across the region to assist more people."
increasing coverage
When discussing the expansion of teams, products, or services to cover a wider area or reach more people.
Example: "The franchise spread out its stores to different cities."
expanding over time
To describe a plan, series of events, or process that extends over a longer period.
Example: "The project spread out over several months to accommodate all phases."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

using with a direct object
❌ Wrong: They spread out the plan.
✅ Correct: They spread out the implementation over several months.
💡 Tip: Remember 'spread out' doesn't take a direct object.
incorrect tense usage
❌ Wrong: They are spread outting maps.
✅ Correct: They are spreading out maps on the table.
💡 Tip: The correct continuous form is 'spreading out'.
confusing non-separable usage
❌ Wrong: Spread the blankets out.
✅ Correct: Spread out the blankets.
💡 Tip: Keep 'spread out' as a unit without separation.
Practice

SPREAD OUT - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

distribute disperse

Antonyms

concentrate

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"The volunteers will ___ to cover more ground during the event."

spreading out
spread out
spreads out
spread outing

"In the span of life, wisdom teaches us to spread out our energies, embracing the vastness of each moment's potential."

In Context

In 1793, Eli Whitney, an inventor from Massachusetts, traveled to Georgia where he noticed the tedious process of removing seeds from cotton. Unfazed by the magnitude of the challenge, Whitney's ideas began to spread out in all directions. He conceptualized a machine to automate the process. Working tirelessly, his designs spread out onto paper, as he meticulously drafted the mechanics of what would become the cotton gin. By 1794, Whitney's creation was realized; the impact of his invention spread out across the Southern United States. Farmers quickly adopted the cotton gin, significantly increasing cotton production. As demand for cotton surged, so did America's agricultural economy, reshaping it and creating economic ripples that spread out globally. However, the unintended consequence was a dramatic increase in the demand for slave labor, as plantations expanded to new territories. Whitney's invention inadvertently contributed to the entrenchment of slavery, leading to profound ethical and economic divisions. Despite his intentions, Whitney witnessed how a single invention could spread out to influence the course of history in unforeseen ways. In his later years, he turned his attention to manufacturing muskets with interchangeable parts, once again affecting industrial practices that would spread out over new frontiers of innovation.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Spread Out

What is the origin of spread out?

+
The phrase 'spread out' has its roots in Old English, where 'spread' meant to stretch or cover a surface. Over time, it evolved to include expanding or distributing elements more broadly, often used for things extending over a wider area.

Can spread out be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
Yes, 'spread out' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings without altering its meaning. It suits formal reports about logistics as well as casual conversations about group activities.

What is the difference between spread out and distribute?

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'Spread out' often suggests expansion over an area or time, while 'distribute' focuses on the organized allocation of items or tasks. 'Spread out' is more about geographic or temporal expansion, whereas 'distribute' implies intentional, systematic division.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

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Browse All National Parks Phrasal Verbs
National Parks Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey



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