a wider than expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wider than expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation or outcome that exceeds initial expectations in terms of size, scope, or extent. Example: "The survey revealed a wider than expected range of opinions among the participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Instead, faced with a wider than expected budget gap, Mr. Schröder announced a program that relies heavily on tax increases instead of spending cuts, reversing a campaign pledge.

The New York Times

Some consumer advocates have raised broader concerns about Mr. Wetjen, who once advocated a wider than expected exemption to part of a derivatives rule.

The New York Times

Liberal Democrat rebels are planning a fresh move against the government's health reforms at the party conference next week after a wider than expected revolt in the House of Commons against the plans.

The Guardian

Toys 'R' Us disappointed Wall Street, posting a wider than expected quarterly loss.

Forbes

GSI Commerce reported a wider than expected quarterly loss, of 41 cents per share.

Forbes

Sprint Nextel shares slipped 0.6%, after a wider than expected loss.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Online Path To Profitability Online advertising goliath DoubleClick, which reported a wider than-expected third-quarter loss of $12.6 million, hopes to return to profitability in 2002 by cutting costs.

Forbes

[A16.] Dillard's Loss Bigger Than Expected Dillard's reported a wider-than-expected quarterly loss as weak sales prompted discounting.

The New York Times

Kmart missed expectations, however, citing a wider-than-expected loss on its decision to reduce inventory.

The New York Times

XM Satellite Radio also announced a wider-than-expected quarterly loss of $1.22 per share on revenue of $177 million, versus analyst expectations of a 92-cent loss per share on revenue of $174 million.

Forbes

The bookseller Borders Group posted a wider-than-expected quarterly loss on Tuesday as sales slumped.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a wider than expected", ensure the context clearly establishes what was initially expected. Providing a benchmark or reference point enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a wider than expected" without clearly defining what the 'expected' value or range was. Without this context, the phrase loses its meaning and becomes vague.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wider than expected" functions as a descriptive modifier, typically preceding a noun. It serves to qualify the noun by indicating that its extent or scope is greater than what was initially anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wider than expected" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe situations exceeding initial anticipation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a descriptive modifier, commonly appearing in news, business, and scientific contexts. While versatile, clarity is crucial; ensure the 'expected' baseline is clearly defined. Alternatives like "larger than anticipated" or "greater than projected" offer nuanced options for expressing similar concepts. Its consistent usage and clear meaning make it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

larger than anticipated

Replaces "wider" with "larger", focusing on overall size or scale.

greater than projected

Substitutes "wider" with "greater" and "expected" with "projected", emphasizing exceeding forecasts.

more extensive than foreseen

Uses "more extensive" to replace "wider", suggesting a broader scope than initially predicted.

beyond initial expectations

Emphasizes exceeding the starting point of expectations.

exceeding original estimates

Focuses on surpassing the initial numerical approximations.

surpassing preliminary forecasts

Highlights exceeding early predictions or projections.

more significant than anticipated

Replaces "wider" with "more significant", suggesting a greater importance or impact.

on a grander scale than expected

This alternative provides an emphasis on size and magnitude of the issue.

to a greater extent than anticipated

Changes the phrase to focus on the degree or measure surpassing the expectations.

larger than previously thought

Offers an alternative way to describe unexpected sizes, by focusing on past perception.

FAQs

How can I use "a wider than expected" in a sentence?

Use "a wider than expected" to describe a situation where the actual outcome, size, or scope is larger or more extensive than what was initially anticipated. For example, "The budget deficit was "a wider than expected"."

What are some alternatives to "a wider than expected"?

You can use alternatives like "larger than anticipated", "greater than projected", or "more extensive than foreseen" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a wider than expected"?

Yes, "a wider than expected" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal writing. It is used to express that something is larger or more extensive than initially anticipated.

What's the difference between "a wider than expected" and "a larger than expected"?

While both phrases convey a sense of exceeding expectations, ""a wider than expected"" often implies a greater scope or range, whereas "a larger than expected" typically refers to physical size or quantity.