In the world

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the world" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to denote a wide variety of things, including the entire planet, a particular segment of the population, or the universe. For example, "The Mona Lisa is one of the most recognizable paintings in the world" or "Hillary Clinton is one of the most powerful women in the world".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the world of mules.

The New Yorker

Nothing in the world".

The New Yorker

Third in the world!

The Guardian

What's in the world?

The New Yorker

What in the world?

The New Yorker

anywhere in the world.

The New York Times

in the world.

The New Yorker

agency in the world.

The New Yorker

"Probably in the world.

The New York Times - Sports

— the largest in the world.

The New Yorker

Do well in the world.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in the world" for emphasis, consider the tone you want to convey. It can range from surprised and incredulous to simply adding weight to a statement.

Common error

While "in the world" is versatile, excessive use in formal or academic writing can sound less sophisticated. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives like "globally" or "internationally" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the world" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or verb. It is often used to specify a location, degree, or scope. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a correct and usable phrase for denoting various aspects of our planet.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the world" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote location, superlative degree, or emphasis. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. It's particularly common in news and media, as demonstrated by numerous examples from sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker. While acceptable in various contexts, opting for more formal alternatives such as "globally" or "internationally" might enhance sophistication in formal writing. Related phrases include "worldwide" and "across the globe".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Worldwide

A direct synonym focusing on encompassing the entire world.

Globally

This single word adverb directly replaces the phrase indicating a worldwide scope.

On a global scale

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes the magnitude of the scale.

Across the globe

This option is more vivid, picturing movement or distribution.

Internationally

This emphasizes the involvement of multiple nations.

Universally

Focuses on aspects that apply to everyone or everything.

On the face of the earth

A more emphatic and descriptive way of saying "in the world".

On earth

This phrase can replace "in the world" when used for emphasis after an interrogative word.

In existence

This shifts the focus to whether something exists globally rather than its specific location.

Among all nations

This phrase explicitly refers to nations and their collective involvement.

FAQs

How can I use "in the world" in a sentence?

You can use "in the world" to describe a location, express a superlative, or add emphasis, such as: "The highest mountain "in the world" is Mount Everest" or "What "in the world" are you doing?"

What phrases can I use instead of "in the world"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "globally", "worldwide", "on a global scale", or "internationally".

When is it appropriate to use "in the world" for emphasis?

"In the world" is suitable for emphasis in informal contexts or when expressing surprise or disbelief. For example: "Why "in the world" would you do that?"

Is "in the world" interchangeable with "on earth"?

While similar, "on earth" typically emphasizes existence or being grounded, whereas "in the world" focuses more on location or scope. In some emphatic uses after interrogatives, they can be interchangeable: "What "on earth" is that?" is very similar to "What "in the world" is that?"