grinned widely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grinned widely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone smiling broadly, often indicating happiness or amusement. Example: "When she heard the good news, she grinned widely, unable to contain her excitement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

I grinned widely.

Independent

Kadyrov grinned widely.

The Guardian

Mr. Feoktistov then grinned widely.

The New York Times - Science

Carolyn grinned widely, telling about it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Beside him, Mr. Springsteen grinned widely.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Green grinned widely at the question.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Decked out in his signature wide-brimmed hat – watch out there, Kindness – Gallab grins widely while plucking his guitar over single How We Be.

The Guardian - Music

She grins widely.

The New York Times - Arts

He grins widely.

The Guardian

"No," Jackie said, grinning widely.

The New York Times

He paused, now grinning widely.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grinned widely" to vividly portray a character's reaction to positive news, a funny situation, or a moment of triumph to create a strong visual image for your reader.

Common error

While "grinned widely" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing repetitive. Vary your descriptions with alternatives such as "smiled broadly" or "beamed with delight" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grinned widely" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the verb "grinned" to describe the manner of smiling. Ludwig's examples show it is commonly used to depict a strong, visible expression of happiness or amusement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grinned widely" is a common adverbial phrase used to describe a broad, happy smile, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and most frequently appears in News & Media contexts. To avoid repetition, consider alternatives like "smiled broadly" or "grinned from ear to ear". When writing, use "grinned widely" to vividly illustrate a character's positive reaction, but be mindful of overusing it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grinned from ear to ear

Emphasizes the width of the smile, suggesting extreme happiness.

smiled ear to ear

Emphasizes the width of the smile, suggesting extreme happiness.

smiled broadly

A more neutral alternative, simply indicating a wide smile without specifying emotion.

wore a wide grin

Focuses on the physical appearance of the smile as something worn or displayed.

grinned with glee

Highlights the intense joy and amusement behind the grin.

beamed with delight

Highlights the feeling of delight that accompanies the smile.

gave a big grin

A more informal way to describe a wide, happy smile.

sported a huge grin

Suggests a proud or confident display of a wide smile.

flashed a broad smile

Implies a quick, bright smile that is shown suddenly.

beamed radiantly

Focuses on the radiant quality of the smile, suggesting happiness and joy.

FAQs

How can I use "grinned widely" in a sentence?

You can use "grinned widely" to describe someone showing great happiness or amusement through a broad smile. For example, "After hearing the news, she "grinned widely"."

What are some alternatives to "grinned widely"?

Alternatives include "smiled broadly", "grinned from ear to ear", or "beamed radiantly". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "grinned widely"?

While grammatically correct, "grinned widely" might not be appropriate in very formal or somber contexts. In such cases, a more subdued expression like "smiled slightly" would be more suitable.

What's the difference between "grinned widely" and "smiled politely"?

"Grinned widely" suggests genuine happiness or amusement, while "smiled politely" implies a more formal or courteous smile that might not reflect true emotion.