Cool MateA lot of that going around vs Widespread
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
A lot of that going around
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Widespread
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Most formal: WidespreadMost common: Widespread
| A lot of that going around | Widespread | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ə lɒt əv ðæt ˈɡəʊɪŋ əˈraʊnd//🇺🇸 //ə lɑt əv ðæt ˈgoʊɪŋ əˈraʊnd// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈwaɪdspred/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈwaɪdspred/"]/ |
| Meaning | Many people have the same issue or problem. | happening in many places or affecting many people |
| Example | There seems to be a lot of that going around at school lately. | The storm caused widespread damage. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | a lot of complaints, a lot of rumors, a lot of excitement, a lot of sickness, a lot of laughter | be, become, remain, extremely, fairly, very, among |
| Antonyms | - | limited, narrow, restricted |
| Common mistakes | Using 'a lot of' with non-count nouns incorrectly, Misplacing the phrase when describing something unique, Confusing with 'a lot going on' which has a different meaning | Confusing with 'widely spread' as a literal phrase., Using it to describe something only in one area., Misplacing it as a verb. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase when discussing a common trend or issue experienced by many. It's casual and best suited for spoken conversation, particularly among friends or peers. | Use 'widespread' to describe something that is common or prevalent. It is appropriate in both spoken and written contexts. Avoid using it for localized events. |
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Frequently asked questions: A lot of that going around vs Widespread
What's the difference between A lot of that going around and Widespread?
A lot of that going around: Many people have the same issue or problem. Widespread: happening in many places or affecting many people
Which is more formal: A lot of that going around and Widespread?
Widespread is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: A lot of that going around and Widespread?
Widespread is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
A lot of that going around: There seems to be a lot of that going around at school lately. Widespread: The storm caused widespread damage.
Can I use A lot of that going around and Widespread interchangeably?
Not always. A lot of that going around and Widespread are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.