What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
strew
Example
The wind strewed the leaves all over the yard. [strew: verb]
Example
She strewed the flowers on the table for decoration. [strewed: past tense]
spread
Example
He spread the blanket on the grass for a picnic. [spread: verb]
Example
The news of the event quickly spread throughout the town. [spread: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spread is more commonly used than strew in everyday language. Spread is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while strew is less common and typically used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between strew and spread?
Both strew and spread are relatively informal words, but spread can be used in more formal contexts due to its versatility and wider usage.