a bit wide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit wide" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is slightly broader than expected or desired, often in relation to clothing, spaces, or measurements. Example: "The dress is a bit wide at the shoulders, so I might need to have it tailored."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Hawthorn looked at him suddenly, his eyes a bit wide.

The New Yorker

Dujmovits takes the slightest of leads but then she goes a bit wide.

The Guardian - Sport

He goes a bit wide though and Schwarzer forces him to hoof it over the angle.

The Guardian - Sport

"So, I took him a bit wide in the hope that Pegasus would have to go wider.

The New York Times - Sports

"I ran a bit wide on my first Q3 lap and had that time taken away," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Then Neal was wide open in the left slot with a wide-open net in front of him and his shot went, well, just a bit wide.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Dixon paused, again a bit wide-eyed.

The New York Times - Sports

But reached by telephone at his house in Charlottesville, he still sounded a bit wide-eyed with surprise.

The New York Times - Books

carvalHo: My research is a bit wide-ranging, but it broadly focuses on cities as lived and imagined spaces, especially in Brazil.

Harvard University

Even the highway police, when they waved us over at checkpoints, were a bit wide-eyed as they examined our documents — "Where do you live in America?

The New Yorker

Ms. Hanna screams with ardor for those wise women who still get a bit wide-eyed by possibility, a hard line she treads with ease; the band's debut album, "Run Fast" (TJR), was released in September.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing dimensions, use "a bit wide" to indicate a slight excess in width, avoiding more definitive terms if the difference is minimal. For example, "The frame is "a bit wide" for the picture, but it still works."

Common error

Avoid using "a bit wide" in contexts requiring exact measurements. Instead of saying "The board is "a bit wide", consider stating the exact width and the required dimension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit wide" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective. It qualifies the adjective "wide", indicating a slight degree of wideness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a bit wide" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is slightly broader than desired or expected. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is valid and usable in written English. Analysis of various sources shows that it's frequently used in news and media, academic texts, and even in wiki content. While alternatives like "slightly broad" or "somewhat wide" exist, "a bit wide" strikes a balance between informality and clarity. Remember to use precise measurements when needed but, otherwise, this phrase is suitable for expressing a minor deviation in width.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a little wide

Substitutes "bit" with "little", offering a nearly identical expression.

a tad wide

Substitutes "bit" with "tad", offering a nearly identical expression.

slightly too wide

Adds "too" to emphasize the excess width.

slightly broad

Replaces "a bit" with "slightly" and "wide" with "broad", maintaining a similar degree of deviation.

somewhat wide

Uses "somewhat" instead of "a bit", suggesting a similar level of width.

a touch wide

Uses "touch" instead of "bit", indicating a subtle excess in width.

marginally wide

Replaces "a bit" with "marginally", implying a minimal amount of width.

a shade wide

Substitutes "bit" with "shade", maintaining a similar subtlety in meaning.

a fraction wide

Uses "fraction" to describe a small amount of wideness.

somewhat expansive

Replaces "wide" with "expansive", suggesting a broad nature.

FAQs

How can I use "a bit wide" in a sentence?

You can use "a bit wide" to describe something that's slightly broader than desired. For example, "The shirt is "a bit wide" across the shoulders" or "The road is "a bit wide" at this point, making it easier to merge."

What's a more formal way to say "a bit wide"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "slightly broad" or "somewhat wide". These options offer a similar meaning with a more refined tone.

Is it okay to use "a bit wide" in professional writing?

While "a bit wide" is generally acceptable, it might be preferable to use more precise language in professional writing, especially when exact measurements or specifications are relevant. Consider alternatives like "marginally wide" or stating the degree of width explicitly.

What's the difference between "a bit wide" and "too wide"?

"A bit wide" indicates a slight excess in width, whereas "too wide" suggests that the width is excessive and problematic. The phrase "a bit wide" implies a minor issue, while "too wide" indicates a more significant concern.