broaden out

USAGE SUMMARY

"broaden out" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase usually refers to the expansion of a topic, idea, or conversation. For example, "The discussion began to broaden out into other areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"He needs to broaden out".

The New York Times

CNBC is going to help people broaden out those options".

The New York Times

Things loosen up and broaden out after the revolution, but this arrogance does not vanish.

The Economist

"Now, the economic problems are going to broaden out and engulf the entire country".

The New York Times

Even so, it does not take him long to broaden out his focus.

The Guardian - Books

On Monday, "we saw it broaden out to every sector," Mr. Ghriskey said.

The New York Times

That's one of the reasons that we think the market leadership will broaden out in 2001.

The New York Times

If the recovery is going to be more sustainable it has to broaden out".

The Guardian - Business

Was a deliberate decision taken to try and broaden out the Chicago approach?

The New Yorker

Later I'll start to broaden out and focus on some of the other politics around.

The Guardian

"It's only now that the discussion is starting to broaden out," she says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broaden out" when you want to convey the idea of expansion, whether it's in terms of scope, range, or understanding. It's especially useful when discussing strategies to include more elements or perspectives.

Common error

While "broaden out" is versatile, it can sound less formal than alternatives like "expand" or "extend" in academic or business contexts. Consider your audience and the desired tone when choosing between these options.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broaden out" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, often used transitively or intransitively to describe the process of expanding the scope, range, or extent of something. Ludwig AI confirms it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broaden out" is a versatile and frequently used phrasal verb that signifies the expansion of scope, range, or understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered grammatically correct and appears commonly across various contexts, particularly in news media and scientific domains. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider formality when choosing between "broaden out" and alternatives like "expand" or "extend" for professional or academic writing. Understanding its function and communicative purpose can help writers effectively convey the idea of enlargement or inclusion in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spread out

Implies extending over a larger area.

expand

Refers to making something larger in scope or size.

flesh out

Suggests adding more details and making something more complete.

extend

Implies making something longer or more comprehensive.

widen

Focuses on increasing the breadth or width of something.

build upon

Focuses on adding new elements to something already existing.

dilate

Often used in a medical context, but can also mean to expand.

amplify

Suggests increasing the intensity or significance of something.

diversify

Implies increasing the variety of elements within a set.

develop

Suggests elaborating or adding detail.

FAQs

How can I use "broaden out" in a sentence?

You can use "broaden out" to describe expanding the scope of a discussion, activity, or range of options. For example, "The company aims to "broaden out" its product line to attract more customers."

What does "broaden out" mean?

"Broaden out" means to expand, extend, or increase the scope or range of something. It can refer to physical expansion or, more often, to the widening of a topic, idea, or activity.

Which is a better alternative to "broaden out": "expand" or "extend"?

The best alternative depends on the context. "Expand" generally means to become larger, while "extend" means to make something longer or to offer something. If you're increasing scope or range, "expand" is often the better choice.

What is the difference between "broaden out" and "widen"?

"Broaden out" usually implies extending the scope or range of something more abstract, like a discussion or a product line, while "widen" often refers to making something physically wider. However, both can be used metaphorically.