What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
radiating
Example
The sun was radiating warmth on the beach. [radiating: verb]
Example
The pain was radiating from my lower back down to my legs. [radiating: present participle]
spreading
Example
The virus is spreading rapidly across the country. [spreading: present participle]
Example
She was spreading butter on her toast. [spreading: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spreading is more commonly used than radiating in everyday language. Spreading is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while radiating is less common and often used in technical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between radiating and spreading?
Both radiating and spreading can be used in formal or informal contexts, but radiating is more likely to be used in technical or scientific writing due to its specificity and precision.
