have been widened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been widened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been made wider over a period of time, often in a passive construction. Example: "The roads have been widened to accommodate the increasing traffic flow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Bunkers have been widened.

The New York Times - Sports

Many beaches have had sand refurbishment; some have been widened.

The Economist

The roads to his racetrack have been widened.

The New York Times - Sports

Roads have been widened so people can move through the city and get to higher ground.

Independent

Roads have been widened to serve as firebreaks and emergency routes.

The Economist

In response to specific collisions, stretches of road have been widened, surfaces reprofiled, and embankments removed.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

In the past month, protests against President Saleh's leadership have been widening and growing more violent.

The New York Times

Corporate bond yields have actually gone up, and quality spreads have been widening.

The New York Times

In recent weeks, political and religious leaders have been widening some of those fault lines.

The New York Times

With the Bush-Cheney tax cuts, the class divide and income inequality in the city have been widening.

The New Yorker

Kurdish protests have been widening, targeting a number of Turkish cities.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been widened" in contexts where you want to emphasize that something has been made physically broader, either literally (e.g., roads) or figuratively (e.g., scope).

Common error

Avoid using "have been widened" when a more appropriate term like "expanded", "enhanced", or "developed" would better convey the intended meaning, especially in abstract contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been widened" functions as a passive verb phrase. This indicates that the subject of the sentence has undergone a process of being made wider. Ludwig AI showcases this usage across various contexts, emphasizing a completed action with present relevance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been widened" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe an increase in width—literally or figuratively—and is found in diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. While versatile, it's crucial to select it deliberately, ensuring it precisely conveys the intended sense of expansion. Alternatives include phrases like "have been expanded" or "have been broadened", each subtly shifting the nuance of the statement. By considering these factors, writers can effectively utilize "have been widened" to enhance clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been expanded

Focuses on increasing the scope, size, or extent.

have been enlarged

Implies an increase in physical size or capacity.

have been broadened

Suggests an increase in range or scope.

have been extended

Indicates an increase in length or duration.

have been increased in width

Directly states that the width has grown.

have grown wider

Emphasizes the process of becoming wider over time.

have been made wider

Highlights the action of making something wider.

have been stretched

Suggests the widening was achieved through stretching or extension.

have been augmented

Implies something has been added to increase width.

have undergone expansion

Formal way to indicate a process of widening occurred.

FAQs

How can I use "have been widened" in a sentence?

You can use "have been widened" to describe a physical space or a figurative concept that has increased in breadth. For example, "The roads "have been widened" to accommodate more traffic", or "The scope of the investigation "have been widened" to include new evidence".

What are some alternatives to "have been widened"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "have been expanded", "have been broadened", or "have been enlarged" as alternatives to "have been widened".

Is it correct to say "has been widened" instead of "have been widened"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "has been widened" for singular subjects (e.g., "The road has been widened"), and "have been widened" for plural subjects (e.g., "The roads have been widened").

What's the difference between "have been widened" and "are being widened"?

"Have been widened" indicates a completed action in the past that has present relevance (e.g., "The doorways have been widened to improve accessibility"). "Are being widened" indicates an ongoing action (e.g., "The doorways are being widened to improve accessibility").