ability to widen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to widen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the capacity or potential to expand or increase something, such as knowledge, opportunities, or perspectives. Example: "The program enhances the ability to widen one's understanding of different cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Oil income is also plunging, limiting Mr. Chávez's ability to widen the scope of his social welfare programs, known as missions.

The New York Times

Yet they represent less than 13% of the electorate, and the party's ability to widen its appeal is now in doubt.

The Economist

As part of the expanded compromise, Macron is also using his state visit to urge Trump to keep American forces in Syria ��� partly to stem Iran's ability to widen its influence.

The New Yorker

The idea is still largely the preserve of the new, post-1992 universities, which have traditionally attracted a wider social mix of students, but some of the older institutions may be tempted to follow suit, as a condition of raising tuition fees rests on their ability to widen access.

The Guardian

But it points, also, to a broader shift in public perceptions — from an appreciation of the intrinsic value of an education (its ability to widen the mind, to expose students to new ideas and experiences) to an obsession with the instrumental value of a diploma.

The New York Times

The ability to widen the boundaries of conceptual structures is integral to creative idea generation, which makes conceptual expansion a core component of creative cognition.

Neuropsychologia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Second, to give children the possibility of developing their abilities, to widen their knowledge and to encourage learning.

Unicef

UCG has the ability to significantly widen the resource base, where the energy contained within inaccessible coal reserves, considered uneconomical for recovery, could be recovered using UCG [11].

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

The university will, however, carry on with its tradition of recruiting students from a variety of backgrounds: "We want to continue to be recognised for our willingness and ability to support widening participation, giving the opportunity for anyone of any background to be able to come and study at the institution".

The Guardian

The ability to unpick the impact of efforts to widen access is further limited by available data.

British Medical Journal

Faber explores the powers and pitfalls of words and their ability to bridge – or widen – divides.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ability to widen" when you want to emphasize the potential or capacity for expansion in a specific area, such as skills, influence, or understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "ability to widen" in excessively abstract contexts where a more specific verb would provide clarity. Instead of saying "the ability to widen knowledge", consider specifying "the ability to deepen understanding" or "the ability to broaden expertise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to widen" functions as a noun phrase acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes the capacity or potential to expand something. Examples include widening influence, access, or knowledge.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ability to widen" is a grammatically correct phrase that describes the capacity to expand or increase something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. While the phrase is generally uncommon, it appears most frequently in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. To improve writing, consider using more specific verbs in abstract contexts and check that the phrase matches with the style of your writing. Alternatives like "capacity to broaden" or "potential to expand" can provide similar meanings with slight differences in nuance. The phrase is found in reliable sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to broaden

Focuses on increasing the scope or range.

potential to expand

Emphasizes the possibility of growth or enlargement.

capability to extend

Highlights the power to make something longer or more comprehensive.

skill at amplifying

Suggests expertise in increasing or intensifying something.

aptitude for increasing

Implies a natural talent for making something greater in size or amount.

power to enlarge

Focuses on the authority or strength to make something bigger.

scope for expansion

Highlights the available opportunities for growth and development.

room to grow

Indicates available space or potential for further development.

opportunity to broaden

Emphasizes chance and convenience to increase the scope or range.

prospect of extending

Focuses on the future possibilities for something to become larger or more inclusive.

FAQs

How can I use "ability to widen" in a sentence?

You can use "ability to widen" to describe the capacity to expand or increase something. For example: "The course enhances the "ability to widen" one's understanding of different cultures".

What are some alternatives to "ability to widen"?

Alternatives include phrases like "capacity to broaden", "potential to expand", or "capability to extend" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "abilities to widen" instead of "ability to widen"?

Using "abilities to widen" is grammatically correct when referring to multiple capacities. For example, "The program develops students' abilities to widen their network and influence".

What's the difference between "ability to broaden" and "ability to widen"?

"Ability to broaden" and "ability to widen" are very similar, but "broaden" often implies increasing the scope or range, while "widen" can suggest making something physically or conceptually wider. In many contexts, they are interchangeable, but consider the specific nuance you intend.