a wide thing

USAGE SUMMARY

'a wide thing' is not a grammatically correct phrase.
You could use a phrase such as 'a wide variety' or 'a wide array' instead. For example: "I have a wide array of interests, ranging from music to cooking."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Music

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Not the usual "crap" ones, oh no, the Corbynite cycleways will be clause IV bike paths, nationalised, surfaced with butter-smooth tarmac and wider than a wide thing.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It became a wider thing about people who grip on to other people's creations like they are their own," he said, reflecting on his own DJ career.

The Guardian - Music

There definitely is mystery and magic, and this is a matter of fact…[Life] is in fact a wonderful and wide, wide thing.

The Guardian

One very wide thing.

The Guardian - Music

"We can certainly make it a Europe-wide thing".

The Guardian

"If we're able to get back and play the way we can, it'll be a team-wide thing," Piazza said.

The New York Times - Sports

This is a UK-wide thing.

Vice

But talking about a cultural-wide thing is something your entire audience can understand.

WikiHow

"Most politicians, once you give them a little nose into something, will try to find a very much wider thing down the line.

The Guardian

Conceptions can be about a wide variety of thing: I can conceive of pain, a shooting pain Descartes' foot, penne, and fictional characters like Podrick Payne.

SEP

Some participants expressed that the CMs helped them to fix a wide range of things, ranging from specific problems to things that the participants had not experienced as problems.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more specific and grammatically correct alternatives like "a wide range of things", "a broad concept", or "a wide scope" to improve clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using vague phrases like "a wide thing" as they lack precision and can confuse readers. Instead, opt for terms that clearly convey the intended meaning and scope, such as "a wide range" or "a broad spectrum".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wide thing" functions as a nominal phrase, though its grammatical correctness is questionable. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is not considered standard English and lacks clear definition.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Music

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a wide thing" is an infrequent and grammatically questionable expression. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's better to use grammatically sound alternatives like "a wide range of things", "a broad scope", or more specific vocabulary to improve clarity and precision in writing. While it may appear in various contexts, including news, music, and scientific articles, opting for more conventional phrasing enhances communication effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wide scope

Highlights the extensive reach or influence of something.

a broad concept

Emphasizes the extensive nature of a concept or idea.

an extensive topic

Highlights the comprehensive nature of a topic.

a large issue

Focuses on the significant scale or impact of an issue.

a comprehensive matter

Stresses the all-encompassing nature of a matter under consideration.

a diverse range

Indicates a varied collection of items or elements.

a complex situation

Highlights the multifaceted and intricate nature of a situation.

a far-reaching implication

Focuses on the extensive and significant consequences of something.

a considerable undertaking

Emphasizes the substantial effort or scale of a project.

a boundless realm

Implies an unlimited or unrestricted area or sphere of activity.

FAQs

Is "a wide thing" grammatically correct?

The phrase "a wide thing" is not considered grammatically standard. It's generally better to use alternatives such as "a wide range" or "a broad scope".

What does "a wide thing" generally mean?

While not grammatically ideal, "a wide thing" seems to refer to something with a broad scope or range. However, it's best to use clearer alternatives like "a wide variety" or "an extensive matter" for better clarity.

How can I use "a wide thing" in a sentence correctly?

Due to its awkwardness, it's advisable to rephrase sentences using "a wide thing". For example, instead of saying "It became a wide thing", consider "It became "a broader issue"" or "It encompassed "a wide range of topics"".

What are some alternatives to "a wide thing"?

More appropriate alternatives include "a wide range of things", "a broad scope", "a large issue", or "an extensive area", depending on the intended meaning.