a shade wider

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a shade wider" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is slightly or marginally wider than another object or standard. Example: "The new model of the car is a shade wider than the previous version, providing more comfort for passengers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Beyond the Pacific (just a shade wider than the Hudson), loom the vague outlines of China, Russia and Japan.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And if we do go to the beach, it's equipped with a shade umbrella or tarp, a wide-brim hat, and we spend most of the time reminding one another to put sunblock on our earlobes and toes.

Huffington Post

Or a shade over.

TechCrunch

Each has a shaded veranda that overlooks wide rolling lawns.

The New York Times - Travel

Speaking of Cle, Sarah Chung, chief executive officer of Landing International, a marketplace connecting retailers with emerging beauty brands, said, "They are one of the first K-Beauty brands developed for the U.S. market". She added that Cle Cosmetics has a wider shade variety than most Korean beauty brands.

Los Angeles Times

If you have a small bedroom, you may want to put lighter shades on the wall, since lighter shades create a wider, more open appearance.

WikiHow

He was dressed in bright white, with a beard, shades and a wide-brimmed hat pulled down to the eyebrows.

The Guardian - Film

Buy a rug made with synthetic dyes for a wider range or shades and colors.

WikiHow

It expanded to include a wider range of shades, from a classic, warmer pink to peachy-beige to salmon.

The Washington Post

It was the background music to the Summer of Love, but the argument over who should be credited with the world-wide hit A Whiter Shade of Pale ended yesterday on a wintry morning in a bitterly disputed judgment in the high court.

The Guardian

Bronze skin face: Apply a multi-shade bronzer with a wide applicator brush to your whole face.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a shade wider" to describe subtle differences in width when precision is not critical, such as in informal descriptions or comparisons.

Common error

Avoid using "a shade wider" in technical or scientific writing where precise measurements are necessary. Opt for specific numerical values instead for clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shade wider" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a noun by indicating its relative width compared to something else. As Ludwig AI indicates, it signifies a slight increase in dimension. This can be seen in the example provided by Ludwig, where the Pacific is "a shade wider" than the Hudson.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a shade wider" is a grammatically correct adjectival modifier used to describe a subtle difference in width. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is more appropriate for informal contexts, such as general descriptions or news articles, rather than formal or scientific writing where precise measurements are preferred. Its rarity suggests that while usable, other alternatives may be more common. The primary contexts where it appears are in News & Media, Wiki, and Science sources. When precision is important, avoid "a shade wider" and provide specific numerical values instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly broader

Emphasizes a small degree of increased width, similar to "a shade wider".

Barely wider

Highlights the minimal difference in width, akin to the original phrase.

Marginally wider

Uses "marginally" to indicate a slight increase in width.

A tad wider

Employs the informal term "tad" to suggest a small amount.

A bit wider

Replaces "shade" with "bit" for a more common expression.

Just a hair wider

Uses "hair" as a metaphor for a very small measurement.

Minutely wider

Indicates an extremely small difference in width using "minutely".

Fractionally wider

Highlights a very small increase in width.

A smidge wider

Uses the informal word "smidge" to imply a tiny difference.

Scarcely wider

Emphasizes that the width difference is barely noticeable.

FAQs

How can I use "a shade wider" in a sentence?

You can use "a shade wider" to describe something that is slightly wider than another item. For example, "The new model is "a shade wider" than the previous version."

What's the difference between "a shade wider" and "slightly wider"?

"A shade wider" and "slightly wider" are very similar, but "a shade wider" might imply an even smaller difference. You can use "slightly wider" when the difference is a bit more noticeable.

What are some alternatives to saying "a shade wider"?

Alternatives include "a bit wider", "slightly broader", or "marginally wider". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of difference you want to emphasize.

Is it appropriate to use "a shade wider" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a shade wider" is more suited for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise language such as "slightly wider" or specifying the exact measurement difference.