a sharp widening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sharp widening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden or significant increase in size, extent, or scope, often in a physical or metaphorical context. Example: "The road ahead features a sharp widening, allowing for easier navigation through the busy intersection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The result has been a sharp widening in the differential between the wages of highly skilled and low-skilled labor in the United States and other advanced countries.

The Washington Post

Indeed, fears have been expressed that the start of what financiers call "adverse debt dynamics" can already be discerned in a sharp widening of the spread (the difference in yields) between the ten-year German bund and its Italian equivalent.

The Economist

But it would not be enough to prevent a sharp widening of the output gap (the difference between actual GDP and what the economy could produce at full capacity).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The marginal narrowing of the overall goods trade deficit in March is welcome, especially given the sharp widening of the oil deficit.

The Guardian - Business

Moreover, the decreasing gaps represent a sharp reversal of a widening divergence observed in prior decades.

Stanford University

The move by Mr. Ahmadinejad to take over the oil ministry and project himself on the world stage at the June 8 meeting in Vienna was seen as the latest skirmish in a confrontation with the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that surfaced a month ago and put a sharp public focus on the widening cracks within Iran's ruling elite.

The New York Times

The route winds up into what is the biggest natural forest in the contiguous United States, until the roadway suddenly widens on a sharp bend.

Independent

But they also represent the vanguard of a sharp challenge to the nation's widening economic divide and the declining standard of living among the majority of Americans.

Huffington Post

Electrocardiographic features of hyperkalaemia include a sharp and broad T-wave, QRS widening and disappearance of the T-wave.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Other factors in the revision included a decline in the purchases of business equipment and software and a sharp increase in imports, which helped widen the trade deficit.

The New York Times

The country's trade deficit continued to widen, reaching $9.9 billion, despite a sharp fall in imports.Business confidence fell again in Germany.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sharp widening" when you want to emphasize a sudden and significant increase in something, whether it's a gap, a difference, or a physical space.

Common error

Avoid using "a sharp widening" in very informal or casual writing. Opt for simpler terms like "big increase" or "sudden growth" to maintain an appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sharp widening" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a process of becoming wider or more extensive in a sudden and noticeable manner. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sharp widening" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a sudden and significant increase or expansion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Academic contexts. While appropriate for formal and analytical writing, it may be too strong for casual conversation. Consider alternatives such as ""a sudden increase"" or ""a marked expansion"" depending on the desired nuance. Be mindful of the context to ensure the phrase aligns with the intended tone and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sudden expansion

Replaces "widening" with "expansion", emphasizing the increase in size or scope.

a marked increase

Substitutes "sharp widening" with "marked increase", highlighting the noticeable growth.

a significant surge

Uses "surge" to replace "widening", suggesting a rapid and substantial rise.

a pronounced escalation

Replaces "sharp widening" with "pronounced escalation", implying a gradual but noticeable increase in intensity or extent.

a dramatic upturn

Uses "upturn" to replace "widening", suggesting a positive and sudden reversal or increase.

a steep climb

Emphasizes the rapid rate of increase, using "climb" to convey upward movement.

a rapid growth

Focuses on the speed of the increase, replacing "sharp widening" with "rapid growth".

a swift escalation

Similar to "pronounced escalation" but with a stronger emphasis on speed.

a noticeable amplification

Replaces "sharp widening" with "noticeable amplification", suggesting an increase in intensity or strength.

an abrupt enlargement

Uses "enlargement" to replace "widening", emphasizing the increase in size with an abrupt quality.

FAQs

How can I use "a sharp widening" in a sentence?

You can use "a sharp widening" to describe a sudden and significant increase. For example, "There was "a sharp widening" of the income gap after the economic downturn".

What are some alternatives to "a sharp widening"?

Alternatives include "a sudden increase", "a marked expansion", or "a significant surge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a sharp widening" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a sharp widening" is grammatically correct and commonly used in formal writing to describe a significant increase or expansion. It functions as a noun phrase.

When is it most appropriate to use the phrase "a sharp widening"?

The phrase "a sharp widening" is best used in formal or analytical contexts where you need to emphasize the sudden and significant nature of an increase or expansion. For example, in economic reports or scientific analyses.