along the width

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "along the width" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is moving or happening across the width of an object or space. Example: She walked along the width of the room, admiring the beautiful paintings on the wall.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cut each of these into thirds along the width so you have six piles of filo squares.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The slots along the width of the plate that allowed the system to see a strike were clearly visible.

The New York Times - Sports

Stress along the width slightly degraded the mobility gain in the narrow width regime.

Thin Solid Films

The material properties are assumed to be graded along the width direction.

Composite Structures

With dismaying consistency, Logan strings out his performers in laundry-line compositions along the width of the frame, exactly as if they were arrayed on a stage.

The New York Times

(e) The pre-lease aspect ratio of the nanofiber increased significantly post-release due to greater contraction along the width than the length.

Nature

In the case of circumferentially aligned nanofibers, the tubes shrink preferentially along the length, whereas those with axial alignment reveal preferential shrinkage along the width.

Nature

Stress along the width direction in narrow devices was found to degrade the drive current gain and cannot be neglected.

Thin Solid Films

Stress along the width (transverse) direction has the least effect on the drain current in wide devices.

Thin Solid Films

Stress along the width direction was found to have the least effect on the drain current in wide samples.

Thin Solid Films

The RHPGW has a variable wall thickness with a thinnest part of 1.5 mm along the width direction.

Materials & Design

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing spatial arrangements or distributions, use "along the width" to clearly indicate directionality across the shorter dimension of an object. This is especially useful in technical and scientific writing.

Common error

Avoid using "along the width" when you actually mean "along the length". The width refers to the shorter dimension, while length refers to the longer dimension. Always double-check your spatial references for accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "along the width" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating direction or location. As Ludwig AI points out, it specifies that something occurs across the shorter dimension of an object or space.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "along the width" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that describes direction or location across the width of an object. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to specify a spatial relationship. It's common in scientific and technical writing, as well as news reporting, offering a clear and precise way to describe how something extends or varies across the shorter dimension of a space. While alternatives like "across the breadth" exist, "along the width" remains a direct and effective choice for conveying this specific spatial concept. When writing, pay attention to not confusing width with length.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the width direction

More formal and technical way to express the same concept.

across the breadth

Focuses on the broadness rather than a specific direction.

across the lateral dimension

Emphasizes the lateral aspect of the width.

spanning the width

Highlights the act of covering the entire width.

extending across the width

Highlights the action of extending over the width.

traversing the width

Implies movement from one side of the width to the other.

over the width

Indicates a position above or across the width.

through the width

Suggests passage or penetration within the width.

widthwise

A single-word adverb indicating direction along the width.

laterally

Implies movement or extent from side to side.

FAQs

How do I use "along the width" in a sentence?

Use "along the width" to describe movement, distribution, or characteristics that extend across the width of an object. For example, "The temperature gradient varied "along the width" of the metal plate."

What are some alternatives to "along the width"?

You can use phrases like "across the breadth", "spanning the width", or "in the width direction" as alternatives, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative offers a slightly different emphasis.

Is it correct to say "along the width" or should I use "across the width"?

Both "along the width" and "across the width" are acceptable, but they can imply slightly different meanings. "Along the width" suggests a direction, while "across the width" emphasizes coverage or extent.

What's the difference between "along the width" and "along the length"?

"Along the width" refers to the shorter dimension of an object, while "along the length" refers to the longer dimension. Be mindful of this distinction when describing spatial relationships.