are somewhat narrow

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are somewhat narrow" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a limited width or scope, often in a figurative sense. Example: "The options available for this project are somewhat narrow, which makes decision-making more challenging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The one-car garage and the backyard are somewhat narrow.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Many are white, reddish, or checkered like some of their cousins in racing-pigeon lofts, but most are somewhat narrow-bodied and broad-billed replicas of the blue-gray ancestral form.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Nearly all glasses are somewhat narrower towards top and wider at base so as to let everyone have pleasure of both its fragrance and taste; material of wine glasses is an important factor to consider, mostly lead and crystal glasses are favorite among wine fanatics to woo and entertain guests.

WikiHow

In a very limited way, the Clinton-era AmeriCorps programme performs this role; but the numbers of people who go through the programme are relatively small and the breadth of its activities is somewhat narrow.

The Guardian - Opinion

The company's single-minded focus on retirement savings is somewhat narrow, but it makes sense given how much money is at stake and how badly many people mess things up when they do it on their own.

The New York Times

"Our audience is somewhat narrow — basically, all people who participate in the securities industry, which to some extent limits our access to some of the people who actually make market-moving news, like people in the C-suite or people in high government office," president Daniel L. Doctoroff said when the deal was announced.

The New York Times

As noted above, the linguistic focus will be somewhat narrow temporally by Chinese standards, at least: the period from roughly the 7th through the 1st centuries BCE.

SEP

Another user claiming to be an ALS researcher showed up in the thread to point out that the focus of the new study was somewhat narrow.

Vice

Also, the concentration range analyzed is somewhat narrow (50-150 nM or 3 fold).

eLife

It's somewhat narrow-minded just to focus just on Serie A," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Now, I believe the court's finding in Citizens United was somewhat narrower than my colleague characterises it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are somewhat narrow", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being described as narrow, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

While acceptable, "are somewhat narrow" can sound less professional in formal writing. Consider using more precise or sophisticated alternatives like "are relatively constrained" or "exhibit limited scope".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are somewhat narrow" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically modifying a noun to indicate a limited extent or scope. It suggests a moderate degree of restriction. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are somewhat narrow" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that indicates a moderate degree of limitation or restriction. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts. The expression appears frequently in News & Media and Scientific publications, demonstrating its versatility. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies what is being described as narrow. While generally acceptable, consider more precise or sophisticated alternatives in highly formal writing, such as "are relatively constrained".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are somewhat restricted in scope

Explicitly states that the limitation is in terms of scope, adding clarity.

are a bit restricted

Uses "a bit" for a less formal tone than "somewhat", and "restricted" emphasizes limitation.

are fairly limited

"Fairly" softens the degree of narrowness, and "limited" focuses on the restricted aspect.

have limited breadth

Shifts the focus to the breadth or range, which is limited.

are rather constrained

"Rather" is a more formal equivalent to "somewhat", and "constrained" highlights the feeling of being confined.

possess a restricted range

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe a restricted selection.

are kind of tight

Uses informal language to express the idea of limited space or scope.

are slightly confined

"Slightly" makes the narrowness less severe, and "confined" suggests a restriction.

are marginally limited

"Marginally" indicates a minimal degree of narrowness, emphasizing a slight limitation.

do not offer many options

Focuses on the lack of options as a consequence of being narrow.

FAQs

What does "are somewhat narrow" mean?

The phrase "are somewhat narrow" means that something has a limited scope, width, or range, but not severely so. It implies a moderate degree of limitation.

What can I say instead of "are somewhat narrow"?

You can use alternatives like "are a bit restricted", "are fairly limited", or "are rather constrained" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "are somewhat narrow"?

The phrase "are somewhat narrow" is suitable for situations where you want to express that something is limited but not severely so. It fits well in both formal and informal contexts, though more precise language might be preferable in highly formal writing.

How does the meaning of "are somewhat narrow" differ from "are very narrow"?

The phrase "are very narrow" indicates a significantly stronger degree of limitation than "are somewhat narrow". "Somewhat" suggests a moderate restriction, while "very" indicates a severe one.