a widespread impact

USAGE SUMMARY

"a widespread impact" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the effect of something on a large scale, for example: The industrial revolution had a widespread impact on the global economy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Drowsy driving has a widespread impact on the nation's highways, experts say.

The New York Times

The decision to criminalise men who pay for sex with trafficked women is likely to have a widespread impact.

The Guardian

They say the proposed ban is an assault on religious freedom that could have a widespread impact all over the country.

The New York Times

Posters afforded Toulouse-Lautrec the possibility of a widespread impact for his art, no longer restricted by the limitations of easel painting.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Chand's case has prompted experts to claim that the IAAF's process is flawed, with her advisor Dr Payoshni Mitra telling the newspaper that the rules were having a widespread impact on women.

The Guardian - Sport

Shell "clearly would have drilled this well in a different way and would have had more options" to prevent the accident and prevent it from having such a widespread impact.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

But a written decision that will determine any widespread impact of the ruling is still awaited.

The New York Times

To make a more widespread impact on BIO 181, a systematic approach was used.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Developing solutions requires collaboration – like we see happening with efforts to reduce deforestation in the palm oil industry – to ensure efforts have a meaningful, widespread impact.

The Guardian

While their fashion choices may have had a more widespread impact than their music (most notably on the hair-metal scene of the eighties), it's difficult to justify missing one of this iconic band's infrequent, high-energy reunion gigs.

The New Yorker

We also selected additional regions of interest (ROIs) to examine whether the effect of long-term learning had a more widespread impact on white matter microstructure adjacent to regions often activated in motor learning tasks: preSMA, SMA, and PC.

Cerebral Cortex

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a widespread impact", ensure that the subject causing the impact is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "the policy had a widespread impact on education" rather than just "it had a widespread impact".

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the reach of an impact. If the impact is only significant within a specific region or demographic, it is more accurate to specify that scope rather than claiming a widespread effect. Overstatements can undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widespread impact" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb (e.g., 'have', 'cause') or as part of a prepositional phrase, describing the extent to which something affects a particular area or group. This is consistent with examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

52%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a widespread impact" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe an effect that is felt broadly across a large area or group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in written English. With a neutral register, it is suitable for a variety of contexts, though it is most frequently observed in scientific and news publications. Alternatives such as "a broad effect" or "a significant influence" can be used to emphasize specific aspects of the impact. When using the phrase, be mindful of clearly identifying the subject causing the impact and avoiding exaggerations about its scope.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a broad effect

Replaces "impact" with "effect", focusing on the result or consequence.

a widespread influence

Substitutes "impact" with "influence", highlighting the power to affect something.

a significant effect

Uses "significant" to emphasize the importance of the effect.

a substantial impact

Emphasizes the size or amount of influence.

a considerable effect

Uses "considerable" to highlight the degree or extent of the effect.

a far-reaching consequence

Shifts the focus to consequences that extend widely.

a major effect

Highlights the significance of the effect as being large in scale.

a sweeping effect

Suggests an effect that covers a large area or range.

a pervasive influence

Indicates an influence that spreads throughout.

a general influence

Highlights that the influence is not specific to one thing or area but spread in all directions.

FAQs

What does "a widespread impact" mean?

The phrase "a widespread impact" describes an effect or influence that is felt broadly across a large area, group, or system. It suggests that something has had a notable and extensive reach.

How can I use "a widespread impact" in a sentence?

You can use "a widespread impact" to describe the effects of policies, events, or technologies. For example: "The new regulations had "a widespread impact" on small businesses."

What are some alternatives to "a widespread impact"?

Alternatives include "a broad effect", "a substantial impact", or "a significant influence". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a widespread impact" or "a significant impact"?

Both "a widespread impact" and "a significant impact" are correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "Widespread" focuses on the extent of the effect, while "significant" highlights the importance or magnitude of the effect. Use the one that best fits the context.