broaden

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broaden" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of expanding or increasing the range, scope, or extent of something. Example: "We need to broaden our understanding of different cultures to foster better communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bennett's keynote conference speech sought to broaden the appeal of the party by tackling more than simply environmental concerns.

The Guardian

The party's attempts to broaden its appeal comes as it trails far behind the major parties in the polls on just a few per cent of the vote.

The Guardian

It also recommended the government look for further efficiency gains in health and education, and broaden the tax base, including by changing the way self-employed workers are taxed.

The Guardian - Business

I'm certainly not arguing that hours upon hours of screen time is a good idea, or that we shouldn't try to broaden our children's horizons.

The Guardian - Opinion

I think one or two of them ought to be thinking, if they want a long-term future in politics, should they be seeking to broaden the Conservative coalition by becoming more embedded in the Conservative party.

The Guardian

Often, it has appeared to the public as if Lucas is the Green party, but in 2012, she announced she was standing down as leader, "in order to broaden opportunities for the range of talent in the party and to raise the profiles of others aspiring to election".

The Guardian

Analysts had warned that as president, Fico could shepherd a constitutional amendment through a compliant parliament to broaden his powers or even transform Slovakia's parliamentary system into a presidential one.

The Guardian

"This board is not competent to perform the duties expected of it," he said, as he called for the Financial Conduct Authority to broaden the scope of its investigation from the bank to the wider group.

The Guardian - Business

That kind of thinking helps broaden audiences, but it doesn't come cheap, and perhaps some percentage of the growing profits from NT Live and Live from Stratford-upon-Avon could help fund such initiatives at theatres around the country?

The Guardian

The price of the ticket excludes younger, poorer people – although there are plenty of ways to work the festival that still broaden its diversity.

The Guardian - Opinion

He wants his work "to find a mainstream audience [and] broaden people's minds".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "broaden", ensure the object you are acting upon is something that can logically be expanded, such as perspectives, skills, or understanding. For example: "Travel can broaden your horizons."

Common error

Avoid using "broaden" with concrete nouns that are typically increased in size by other means. For example, instead of saying "broaden the box", use "enlarge the box" or "widen the box".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "broaden" is as a verb. It signifies the action of making something wider, more extensive, or more inclusive. Ludwig AI shows its use in contexts like "broaden the appeal" or "broaden their horizons".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "broaden" is used to describe the act of making something wider, more extensive, or more inclusive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "widen" and "expand" exist, "broaden" carries a nuance of increasing comprehensiveness or inclusivity. Remember to use "broaden" with objects that can logically be expanded in scope, such as skills, perspectives, or understanding. Its frequent use in authoritative sources and diverse contexts highlights its versatility and importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widen

Emphasizes physical or abstract expansion in scope or extent.

expand

Suggests a more general increase in size, range, or amount.

extend

Implies lengthening or increasing the duration or reach of something.

enlarge

Focuses on increasing the physical size or capacity.

deepen

Suggests increasing the intensity or profundity of something.

amplify

Implies increasing the strength or intensity, often of a signal or sound.

magnify

Focuses on making something appear larger or more significant.

augment

Suggests adding to something in order to improve or enhance it.

develop

Implies a gradual process of growth or advancement.

increase

General term for making something larger or more numerous.

FAQs

How can I use "broaden" in a sentence?

You can use "broaden" to describe making something wider or more extensive. For example, "We need to broaden our appeal to younger voters" or "She wanted to broaden her knowledge of art history".

What is a good alternative to "broaden"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "expand", "widen", or "extend".

Is it correct to say "broaden the area"?

While grammatically correct, it might be more precise to use "expand the area" or "widen the area", depending on whether you are referring to physical width or general scope.

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

"Broaden" often implies making something more comprehensive or extensive, while "widen" typically refers to increasing the physical width or scope. For example, you might broaden your understanding, but widen a road.