has widened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has widened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has increased in size, scope, or extent over time. Example: "The gap between the rich and the poor has widened significantly in recent years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

has widened its lead.

The New York Times - Sports

Tufts has widened its scope.

The New York Times

This gap has widened sharply.

The Economist

Inequality has widened.

The Guardian - Business

Since then the deficit has widened.

The Economist

Yet the pay differential has widened.

The New York Times - Health

The gap has widened relentlessly since.

The Economist

The divergence has widened in recent years.

The Economist

Now, at least, the pool has widened.

The New York Times

Even Germany's CDS rate has widened.

The Guardian - Business

By some measures it has widened.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has widened" to describe a measurable increase or expansion in scope, influence, or quantity. Consider whether "has expanded" or "has increased" might be more precise depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "has widened" when a more specific verb would provide a clearer picture. For example, instead of "the investigation has widened", consider "the investigation has expanded to include new suspects" if that's the accurate depiction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has widened" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence. It typically describes the action of something becoming larger, broader, or more extensive. Ludwig shows various contexts where this phrase is used to indicate growth or expansion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has widened" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate that something has expanded in scope, size, or degree. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "has expanded" or "has increased" may be suitable depending on the context, "has widened" is particularly effective when emphasizing an expansion of reach or influence. Be mindful of choosing the most specific verb to accurately depict the intended meaning and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has expanded

Indicates an increase in size, scope or range. Interchangeable in many contexts.

has broadened

Specifically refers to an increase in breadth or scope, often of knowledge or understanding.

has increased

Focuses on the numerical or measurable aspect of the increase, less about scope.

has extended

Focuses on the physical reach or duration of something.

has grown

Implies a more organic or gradual increase.

has magnified

Emphasizes the increased significance or impact.

has amplified

Implies that something has increased, typically in intensity or effect.

has stretched

Suggests extending limits or boundaries.

has escalated

Suggests a rapid or dramatic increase, often in a negative context.

has ballooned

Indicates a rapid and substantial increase, often suggesting an uncontrolled expansion.

FAQs

How can I use "has widened" in a sentence?

You can use "has widened" to describe an increase in scope, such as "The gap between the rich and poor "has widened" in recent years" or "The company's influence "has widened" to international markets".

What are some alternatives to "has widened"?

Alternatives to "has widened" include "has expanded", "has increased", or "has broadened". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "has widened" or "has increased"?

"Has widened" is suitable when describing an expansion in scope or range. "Has increased" is generally better when describing a measurable quantity. For example, "The scope of the project "has widened"", but "The number of participants "has increased"".

What does it mean when someone says the gap "has widened"?

When someone says the gap ""has widened"", it means the difference between two things has become greater. This could refer to income inequality, political division, or any other disparity.