What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fanwise
Example
The peacock fanned out its feathers to impress the female. [fanned: past tense verb]
Example
The cards were arranged fanwise on the table. [fanwise: adverb]
spreading
Example
The wildfire was spreading rapidly across the forest. [spreading: present participle verb]
Example
She applied the butter by spreading it evenly on the toast. [spreading: gerund noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spreading is more commonly used than fanwise in everyday language. Spreading is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fanwise is less common and refers to a specific fan-shaped arrangement or movement.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fanwise and spreading?
Fanwise has a more formal connotation than spreading, which is more commonly used in informal contexts. However, both words can be used in formal writing depending on the context.
