chasm

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "chasm" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that refers to a deep and large crack in the earth's surface, typically one that results from an earthquake or other geological event. You can use it in a sentence like, "The earthquake caused a chasm in the ground that was several feet deep."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everywhere you look in the stats, the chasm is dramatic: Williams has earned more than $4m this year alone; Safarova – whose ambition is to own a coffee shop and bake her own cakes – has earned $6.4m in her whole 12-year career.

The Guardian - Sport

This spring the photographer Dominick Tyler is publishing Uncommon Ground, which pairs 100 place words with 100 photographs of the phenomena to which the words refer, from arête ("a sharp-edged mountain ridge, often between two glacier-carved corries") to zawn (a Cornish term for a "wave-smashed chasm in a cliff").

The Guardian - Books

Ahahahahaha!" The man who caused such a chasm in London's footballing world really does let out a belly laugh.

The Guardian - Sport

True that, if by "yawn" you mean "gaping chasm into which they have thrown dozens of stories".

The Guardian - Opinion

Long-term price inflation is not in danger, given the gaping chasm between growing demand for housing and the number of houses being built each year.

The Guardian - Money

But there are a lot of Chris Kyles in the world, and the chasm between Eastwood's intent and his audience's reception touches on the old Chappelle's Show conundrum: a lot of white people laughed at Dave Chappelle's rapier racial satire for the wrong reasons, in ways that may have actually exacerbated stereotypes about black people in the minds of intellectual underachievers.

The Guardian - Opinion

A big chasm was opening between management and clinical".

The Guardian

For Hooper, Needham put a 25,000 horsepower rocket engine into a car and "flew" it across a 430ft chasm – without a driver.

The Guardian - Film

The stunt – a leap across a chasm in a jet-fuelled car – provides the climax to a movie sharp also on character.

The Guardian - Film

The gap is as wide as it ever was and David Cameron is still wobbling on a tightrope strung across the chasm, but now without the benefit of any safety net.

The Guardian - Opinion

If you fall into the chasm between these two categories, and are neither "the next whoever" nor "a household name", you're what the Killer Women might call dead in the water (were they far worse writers, of course).

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chasm" to describe not only physical gaps but also significant differences in opinions, beliefs, or circumstances. For example, "a chasm between generations".

Common error

Avoid using "chasm" to describe trivial disagreements or slight differences. Reserve it for substantial divides that are difficult to bridge.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "chasm" is as a noun. It typically serves as a subject or object in a sentence, denoting a deep fissure or a profound division, as exemplified in Ludwig’s examples of a physical or metaphorical separation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "chasm" is a noun that denotes a deep, significant division, either physical or metaphorical. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and its frequent usage across various contexts. It is commonly found in News & Media and Formal & Business sources, highlighting substantial divides in opinions, economic status, or physical landscapes. While synonyms such as "gulf", ""rift"", and ""abyss"" exist, "chasm" emphasizes a particularly profound and often unbridgeable separation. Therefore, it is essential to reserve its use for situations where the division is truly significant to avoid misuse in trivial contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unbridgeable gap

Points out how difficult or impossible it is to cover a distance or difference between two things

wide gulf

Similar to "chasm" but can imply a broader, less sharp separation.

significant rift

Suggests a break or fissure, often in relationships or organizations.

deep divide

Focuses on the significant separation or disagreement between parties.

ideological split

Denotes a difference based on beliefs and convictions

major division

Highlights the act of separating or the state of being divided.

abyss

Highlights the depth and darkness of the division or separation.

pronounced separation

Emphasizes the clarity and distinctness of the division.

gaping void

Emphasizes emptiness and a sense of something missing or lost.

grand canyon

Uses the grand canyon as a vivid image of size, depth, and vastness

FAQs

How can I use "chasm" in a sentence?

You can use "chasm" to describe a deep fissure in the earth, like, "The earthquake created a huge chasm in the road." Alternatively, you can use it metaphorically to describe a significant divide, as in, "There's a growing chasm between the rich and the poor."

What's the difference between "chasm" and "gulf"?

Both "chasm" and "gulf" refer to a significant separation. "Chasm" often implies a deeper, more profound division or difference that's harder to bridge, while "gulf" ("wide gulf") can refer to a broader separation that might be more easily overcome.

What can I say instead of "chasm"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "abyss", "rift", "divide", or "gap". Each of these words carries slightly different connotations, so choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "chasm" in formal writing?

Yes, "chasm" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a sophisticated word that can effectively convey the depth and significance of a division or separation, whether physical or metaphorical.