affect a wide area

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "affect a wide area" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the impact or influence of something over a large geographical or conceptual space. Example: "The new policy is expected to affect a wide area, including several neighboring communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Contamination from an RDD event could affect a wide area, depending on the amount of conventional explosives used, the quantity and type of radioactive material released, and meteorological conditions.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Berry anticipates that if introduced this would affect a wider area than the current charging zone and have fees based much more on distances and time of day travelled than the present flat rates: "It would give people an incentive to travel outside of rush hours and be fairer too".

The Guardian

The pressure changes affect a wider area, whereas the temperature changes are almost similar to the previous scenario.

Journal of Mathematics in Industry

Officials here say the earthquake affected a wide area, much of it barren and remote, with several places inaccessible because of the absence of a proper road network.

The New York Times

This study was prompted by the occurrence of an extreme Damaging geo-Hydrological Event (DHE) which occurred on October 25th 2011 and which affected a wide area of the northern Mediterranean region.

Science of The Total Environment

The logging operation was more distant but lasted longer as a source (until it was sprayed in late 1996) and affected a wider area than the Pampa Pozo source that was sprayed earlier (in 1993).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Of critical importance is the fact that in vivo experiments have indicated that the osteogenic response of bone cells to increased strain is not limited to the site where strain is applied, but it is a generalized phenomenon affecting a wider area of bone.

Bone Research

Some 17m people were affected over a wide area, many of them marooned, as the water level rose six metres (20 feet) above normal.China attacked the Roman Catholic church for its plan to canonise 120 Catholics killed in China, mostly in the 19th century.

The Economist

In practice, however, preemption laws are substantive in that they attach to, and therefore affect, a wide range of regulatory areas such as firearms, building safety requirements, and labor and employment laws.

Harvard University

In 1918 there was a flu pandemic, an epidemic that affects a wide geographic area, which killed more than 20 million - more than died in the war that had just ended.

The Guardian

It said the current outbreak affects a wider geographic area and an array of new and experienced drug abusers.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of an event or policy, use "affect a wide area" to clearly convey that the consequences are geographically or conceptually extensive. For example, "The new environmental regulations will "affect a wide area", including several protected habitats."

Common error

Avoid using "effect" in place of "affect" when you mean to express influence or impact. "Affect" is typically a verb, while "effect" is a noun. For example, it's correct to say "The storm will "affect a wide area"," not "The storm will effect a wide area."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "affect a wide area" functions as a verb phrase indicating the scope of influence or impact. It modifies a subject by describing the extent to which it has consequences, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

30%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "affect a wide area" is a versatile phrase used to describe the broad impact or influence of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct. It commonly appears in news, scientific, and general contexts, signaling that the consequences extend significantly. When using this phrase, be mindful of differentiating "affect" from "effect". Alternatives like "impact a broad region" or "influence a large zone" can be used to add variety, though they carry slight nuances. The phrase is suitable for neutral and professional registers, making it widely applicable in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impact a broad region

Replaces "affect" with "impact" and "wide area" with "broad region", maintaining the core meaning but with a slightly different tone.

influence a large zone

Substitutes "affect" with "influence" and "wide area" with "large zone", focusing on the power to change or control.

have a widespread effect

Rephrases to highlight the dispersion of the impact, using "widespread effect" instead of directly mentioning the area.

cover a vast expanse

Shifts the focus to the spatial extent affected, using "cover" instead of "affect" and "vast expanse" for "wide area".

encompass a large scope

Highlights the breadth of the impact's domain, using "encompass" to denote inclusion and "large scope" to replace area.

extend across a large territory

Emphasizes the geographical reach of the effect, using "extend across" to replace "affect" and specifying "large territory".

reach a significant portion

Focuses on the proportion affected rather than the physical area, using "reach" to indicate influence.

touch a considerable segment

Similar to "reach a significant portion" but uses "touch" and "considerable segment" to slightly alter the imagery.

permeate a substantial sector

Implies a more thorough or pervasive influence, using "permeate" and "substantial sector".

blanket a major swathe

Uses more figurative language to describe the extent of the effect, suggesting complete coverage.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "affects a wide area"?

When something "affects a wide area", it means that its impact, influence, or consequences are felt over a large geographical region or a broad range of aspects or people. It signifies that the effects are not localized or limited to a small scope.

What can I say instead of "affect a wide area"?

You can use alternatives like "impact a broad region", "influence a large zone", or "have a widespread effect" depending on the context.

How do I use "affect a wide area" in a sentence?

You can use "affect a wide area" to describe how something influences a large geographical location or a broad range of subjects. For example, "The radiation from the incident could "affect a wide area", depending on the wind conditions".

What's the difference between "affect a wide area" and "cover a wide area"?

While both phrases deal with the extent of something, "affect a wide area" implies an impact or influence, whereas "cover a wide area" suggests physical coverage or scope. For instance, a policy might "affect a wide area", while a forest might "cover a wide area".