SPREAD


Meaning of SPREAD in English

verb

BAD : Rumours spread out very quickly.

GOOD : Rumours spread very quickly.

BAD : The computer mania is still spreading out.

GOOD : The computer mania is still spreading.

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When you mean 'grow, develop or become increasingly common' use spread (WITHOUT out ): 'They couldn't stop the fire from spreading.' 'Dissatisfaction with the present government seems to be spreading.'

Compare: 'The search party spread out across the field.' 'Her clothes were all spread out on the bed, ready to be packed.'

Longman Common Errors English vocabulary.      Английский словарь распространенных ошибок Longman.