Abstract We introduce a new technique. that we dub Born spreading. aimed at reducing the number of negative-weight $${\mathbb {S}}$$ S events in the MC@NLO matching of NLO calculations with parton-shower simulations. We show that such a technique. https://www.roneverhart.com/2-1-2-x-1-4-x-36-Smooth-Saddle-Threshold-NGP-410-36/