had widened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had widened" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has increased in size or extent in the past, often in relation to a specific point in time. Example: "By the time the meeting started, the gap between their opinions had widened significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The gap between rich and poor had widened.

The Guardian - Business

(By 2009, however, the gap had widened again, to 6.4% of GDP).

The Economist

By the late eighties, the distance between Kann and Pearlstine had widened.

The New Yorker

Second, America's current-account deficit had widened to a record 4.3% of GDP.

The Economist

Now, I had my own escape because the space between me and my father had widened.

The New York Times - Sports

By the time Osuna left four batters later, Toronto had widened its lead to seven.

The New York Times - Sports

The Internet service provider EarthLink Inc. said its third-quarter loss had widened.

The New York Times

The wireless and modern dance bands in Donegal had widened Packie's musical horizons.

The Guardian - Music

She said going back to school after 20 years had widened her horizons.

The New York Times

By late July, that spread had widened to 240 points, reflecting growing concern about these investments.

The New York Times

Government data showed that the gap had widened alarmingly between low-income and high-income families.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had widened" to describe an increase or expansion that occurred before a specific point in the past. This tense clearly establishes the sequence of events.

Common error

Avoid using "has widened" if the widening occurred entirely in the past. "Had widened" correctly places the action in the past perfect tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had widened" functions as a past perfect verb, indicating that an action of widening was completed before a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples showing how this phrase is used to describe changes in size, scope, or extent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had widened" is a grammatically correct and very common past perfect verb phrase used to describe an increase or expansion that occurred before a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with neutral register. When writing, ensure you're using the correct tense and choose synonyms like "had expanded" or "had increased" depending on your intended meaning. The analysis provides a comprehensive overview of its usage and potential alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had expanded

Replaces "widened" with a more general term for growth or extension.

had increased

Focuses on the numerical or measurable aspect of the expansion.

had broadened

Suggests an expansion in scope or range, rather than physical size.

had grown

A simple and direct way to express an increase in size or extent.

had stretched

Implies that something has been made longer or more extensive.

had extended

Indicates that something has been prolonged or made to cover a larger area.

had amplified

Suggests an increase in intensity or impact, rather than just size.

had escalated

Implies a rapid or significant increase, often in a negative context.

had intensified

Focuses on an increase in strength or force.

had deepened

Suggests an increase in depth or complexity, rather than surface area.

FAQs

How do I use "had widened" in a sentence?

Use "had widened" to indicate that something increased in size, scope, or extent before a specific point in the past. For example, "By the end of the year, the gap between the rich and poor "had widened" significantly."

What's a good alternative to "had widened"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "had widened" include phrases like "had expanded", "had increased", or "had broadened".

Is it correct to say "has widened" instead of "had widened"?

While "has widened" is grammatically correct, it implies the widening is relevant to the present. "Had widened" indicates the widening occurred entirely in the past, before another past action or time.

What is the difference between "had widened" and "was widened"?

"Had widened" is in the past perfect tense, indicating an action completed before another action in the past. "Was widened" is in the passive past simple tense, indicating something was made wider. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the action or the result.