could be widened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be widened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential for increasing the size, scope, or extent of something, such as a road, a discussion, or an opportunity. Example: "The scope of the project could be widened to include additional research areas that were not initially considered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Hence, our survey suggests that EE approaches could be widened.

Ecological Engineering

If the trials in Somerset and Gloucestershire are successful, he said, the cull could be widened to other areas.

The New York Times

In the future, perhaps pavements could be widened at low­-traffic times, or traffic limited when the street is overcrowded.

The Guardian

But if one lane of traffic were removed from Lexington Avenue, each sidewalk could be widened by five feet.

The New York Times

The narrow agricultural belt could be widened, and there has been a tendency for the extension of cultivation into lower altitudes by the use of irrigation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

5.01pm BST Spain's bad bank could include non-performing consumer loans Spain's bad bank could be widened to include not just bad property assets but also consumer loans.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Still others say that his lead, though narrowed, could be widening.

The New York Times

There are indications that the probe could be widening to include some of Mr Zhou's close allies.

Independent

The array of people and entities covered in the subpoena to Bowser's office and Friday's memo to the council suggested the scope of the federal investigation could be widening.

The Washington Post

And another could be widening its scope out to also target smaller businesses beyond the large corporates that Brandwatch already works with. .

TechCrunch

Another snapshot from the Eurostat figures shows how this trend could be accelerating even further - and how a gap could be widening with other parts of the country.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could be widened", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being considered for expansion. Be specific to avoid ambiguity. For example: "The scope of the investigation "could be widened" to include related offenses."

Common error

Avoid using "could be widened" excessively in passive constructions. Opt for active voice where appropriate to make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The road "could be widened" by the city council", write "The city council could widen the road".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be widened" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility combined with a passive construction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in suggesting potential expansion or increase. This structure indicates that the subject has the potential to be enlarged or extended.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could be widened" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express the possibility of expansion or increase. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, with examples spanning News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When writing with "could be widened", ensure the context is clear, and consider alternatives like "might be expanded" or "can be broadened" for nuanced meanings. Avoiding overuse in passive constructions will enhance writing clarity. The phrase finds frequent application in News & Media and Scientific domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be expanded

Replaces "could" with "might", indicating a slightly lower degree of certainty, and "widened" with "expanded", suggesting a broader scope of increase.

can be broadened

Substitutes "could" with "can", implying possibility based on capability, and "widened" with "broadened", focusing on increasing scope or variety.

may be extended

Uses "may" instead of "could", indicating possibility and "extended" instead of widened suggesting an increase in length or reach.

might be enlarged

Replaces "could" with "might", indicating possibility, and "widened" with "enlarged", suggesting an increase in size.

can be augmented

Substitutes "could" with "can", highlighting capability, and "widened" with "augmented", implying an increase by adding something.

is able to be widened

Replaces the modal verb "could" with a more explicit expression of ability, emphasizing the capacity for expansion.

has the potential to be widened

Expresses the possibility of widening using a more formal and explicit phrase, highlighting the inherent potential.

is possible to widen

Indicates that it is feasible to widen something, focusing on the practicality and achievability of the action.

allows for widening

Suggests that something permits or facilitates widening, focusing on the enabling aspect of the situation.

presents the opportunity to be widened

Highlights that there is a chance or occasion for widening, emphasizing the availability of the option.

FAQs

How can I use "could be widened" in a sentence?

The phrase "could be widened" indicates a possibility or potential for something to increase in scope or size. For instance, "The investigation /s/might+be+expanded to include new evidence" or "The path /s/can+be+broadened to accommodate more pedestrians".

What are some alternatives to "could be widened"?

Alternatives include "might be expanded", "can be broadened", "may be extended", and "might be enlarged", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "could be widened" in writing?

Use "could be widened" when you want to express a possibility or potential for something to increase in scope, size, or extent. It's suitable for discussing plans, suggestions, or hypothetical scenarios where expansion is a viable option.

What's the difference between "could be widened" and "should be widened"?

"Could be widened" suggests a possibility, while "should be widened" implies a recommendation or necessity. "The road "could be widened"" means it's feasible to widen it, whereas "The road should be widened" means it's advisable or necessary to do so.