What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
infective
Example
The flu is highly infective and can spread easily from person to person. [infective: adjective]
Example
The infective agent responsible for the outbreak was identified as a new strain of bacteria. [infective: noun]
spreading
Example
The wildfire is spreading rapidly due to the dry weather conditions. [spreading: verb]
Example
The spreading of fake news on social media has become a major concern. [spreading: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spreading is more commonly used than infective in everyday language. Spreading is a more general term that can be used in various contexts, while infective is primarily used in medical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between infective and spreading?
Infective is typically associated with a more formal and technical tone, while spreading is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.