at its narrowest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at its narrowest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, concept, or object when referring to its minimum width or least extent. Example: "The river is at its narrowest point here, making it easier to cross."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At its narrowest it is 19 miles (31 km) wide and about 100 feet (30 metres) deep.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At its narrowest interpretation it refers to the linguistic analysis of literary texts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The 141-year-old canal is just 1,000 feet wide at its narrowest, and it cannot handle supertankers, forcing shippers to rely on the pipeline or smaller vessels to move the crude.

The New York Times

It was at its narrowest in the 1970s, when commercial jet travel to small cities was subsidized.

Forbes

From gulf to gulf the isthmus is 137 miles (220 km) wide at its narrowest part; and it is 120 miles (193 km) from the Gulf of Campeche to the head of Superior Lagoon, an inlet on the Gulf of Tehuantepec.

Britannica

I'd add that it's also very easy to navigate because at its narrowest, between Edinburgh and Glasgow, it is less than 50 miles wide.

The Guardian - Travel

Israel, which will be asked to take enormous, even unprecedented, risks for an agreement, given its challenging neighborhood and small size - it was only nine miles wide at its narrowest point until 1967, which for [Abba] Eban evoked "insecurity and danger" and, as a result, "a memory of Auschwitz.

Huffington Post

It is about 93 miles (150 km) at its narrowest width, between the Florida Keys, U.S., on the north and Cuba on the south, and it extends east to The Bahamas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is 27 miles (43 km) wide at its narrowest part, between Cape Krilon (Sakhalin) and Cape Sōya (Hokkaido) and varies in depth from 167 to 387 feet (51 to 118 m).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Indonesia and Australia share a maritime border, but it spans several hundred miles of open sea at its narrowest point.

Vice

While the selectivity filters appear structurally similar, it should be noted that the pore diameter at its narrowest point is slightly larger for l-type channels (∼6.2 Å) than TRPV6 (∼5.4 Å) [62].

Cell Calcium

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical spaces, use "at its narrowest" to precisely indicate the location of minimal width. This provides readers with a clear understanding of dimensional variations within a defined area.

Common error

Avoid using "at its narrowest" when describing abstract concepts or qualities. This phrase is best suited for quantifiable dimensions. For example, instead of saying "The argument was at its narrowest", consider using "The argument was at its weakest" or "most limited".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at its narrowest" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or noun phrase by specifying a location or condition where something is at its minimum width. This usage is supported by Ludwig's examples, which showcase its descriptive role in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

23%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Academia

8%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at its narrowest" is a versatile phrase used to precisely describe the location or point of minimal width in a variety of contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys widespread use across diverse sources, including news media, encyclopedias, and scientific literature. When using this phrase, remember to focus on quantifiable dimensions and avoid applying it to abstract concepts. Alternative phrases like "at its smallest width" or "where it is least wide" can be used to introduce subtle variations in emphasis or formality. With these guidelines in mind, you can confidently and effectively incorporate the phrase "at its narrowest" into your writing to convey accurate and vivid descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at its smallest width

Uses "smallest width" as a direct synonym for "narrowest", clarifying the specific measurement.

at its most constricted

Replaces "narrowest" with "most constricted", emphasizing the limitation in space.

where it is least wide

Shifts the focus to a descriptive clause, specifying the location of minimal width.

at its thinnest point

Substitutes "narrowest" with "thinnest", implying a similar reduction in dimension, possibly in a different context.

at its most confined area

Uses "most confined area", highlighting the restriction of space in a specific location.

where it is skinniest

Offers a more informal synonym, "skinniest", for "narrowest", suggesting a slender dimension.

in its most compressed form

Emphasizes compression as the limiting factor, rather than width alone.

at its point of least breadth

Replaces "narrowest" with "point of least breadth", using more formal vocabulary.

where it's least extended

Uses "least extended" to describe a limiting dimension, implying minimal reach or spread.

at its minimal span

Substitutes "narrowest" with "minimal span", referring to the shortest distance across something.

FAQs

How can I use "at its narrowest" in a sentence?

You can use "at its narrowest" to describe the point of least width in a physical space or object. For example, "The river is "at its narrowest" near the bridge" or "The hallway is "at its narrowest" between the two bedrooms".

What is a good substitute for "at its narrowest"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "at its smallest width", "where it is least wide", or "at its thinnest point" as alternatives to "at its narrowest".

Is it correct to say "at its most narrow" instead of "at its narrowest"?

While "at its most narrow" is understandable, ""at its narrowest"" is the grammatically preferred and more commonly used phrasing. "Narrowest" functions as the superlative form of "narrow", indicating the absolute minimum width.

What's the difference between "at its narrowest point" and "at its widest point"?

"At its narrowest point" refers to the location where something is least wide, while "at its widest point" refers to the location where something has the greatest width. They are antonyms, describing opposite dimensional extremes.