What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sprawling
Example
The city is known for its sprawling suburbs that cover miles of land. [sprawling: adjective]
Example
The toddler was sprawled out on the floor, playing with his toys. [sprawled: verb]
Example
The ivy plant was sprawling across the wall, covering every inch of it. [sprawling: present participle]
spreading
Example
The wildfire was spreading rapidly, covering acres of land. [spreading: present participle]
Example
The bird was spreading its wings, preparing to take flight. [spreading: verb]
Example
She was spreading butter on her toast for breakfast. [spreading: gerund]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spreading is more commonly used than sprawling in everyday language. Spreading is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sprawling is less common and has more specific uses.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sprawling and spreading?
Both sprawling and spreading are relatively informal words, but spreading can be used in more formal contexts, such as in cooking or gardening.
