is being widened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is being widened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action where something is currently being made wider, often in contexts like construction or development. Example: "The road is being widened to accommodate the increasing traffic flow in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The investigation is being widened, they added.

The New York Times

The riverfront promenade is being widened and improved.

The New York Times - Travel

The channel through Gatún Lake is being widened so that larger ships can pass each other.

The New York Times - Science

The M1 is being widened south of Luton, rather than south of London.

The Guardian

The budget deficit is being widened to make up for loss of export market share.

The Guardian - Business

It sees an important opportunity for increased business in East Coast ports now that the Panama Canal is being widened.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Note that in order to obtain sufficient MLT coverage, the low-latitude range is been widened up to 40°.

Earth, Planets and Space

Roads are being widened.

The Guardian

Its two national highways are being widened.

The Economist

"Gaps between citizens are being widened.

The Guardian

The sidewalks, lined with 36 oak trees, are being widened.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is being widened" to describe an ongoing construction or modification process where something is physically expanded. For instance: "The highway is being widened to accommodate more traffic".

Common error

Avoid using "is being widened" for abstract concepts that don't involve physical expansion. It's more appropriate to use phrases like "is being expanded" or "is being broadened" when referring to ideas or scopes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is being widened" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is undergoing an action performed by an external agent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in English. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing ongoing construction or expansion projects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is being widened" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to describe the ongoing process of physical expansion. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's often found in contexts related to construction, infrastructure, and development. While versatile, it's best suited for describing concrete, physical changes rather than abstract concepts. Keep in mind that alternative phrasings like "is being expanded" or "is being enlarged" may be more appropriate for non-physical contexts. Using this phrase effectively ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is being made larger

A simpler, more general way of saying the same thing, using "larger".

is undergoing expansion

Replaces "widened" with "expansion", focusing on the process of becoming larger.

is currently expanding

Uses the continuous tense of "expand" to convey the ongoing nature of the action.

is in the process of being enlarged

Adds "in the process of being" for emphasis on the ongoing action, using "enlarged" instead of "widened".

is gradually increasing in width

More descriptive, specifying the gradual nature and using "width" to relate to widening.

is growing in breadth

Uses "breadth" to refer to the extent of widening.

is under construction to be broader

Focuses on the construction aspect, replacing "widened" with "broader".

is being extended

Highlights the act of making something longer or more comprehensive, rather than wider.

is expanding its scope

Shifts the focus to the scope or range rather than physical width.

is being augmented

Suggests an increase or addition to something, implying that it is being made larger or more complete.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is being widened"?

You can use alternatives like "is undergoing expansion", "is being enlarged", or "is currently expanding" depending on the context.

What does "is being widened" mean?

The phrase "is being widened" means that something is in the process of becoming physically broader or larger. It indicates an ongoing action of expansion.

Is it correct to say "the investigation is being widened"?

Yes, it's correct. Although "widened" typically refers to physical dimensions, in this context it implies the scope or reach of the investigation "is being extended" or made more comprehensive.

When should I use "is being widened" instead of "is being expanded"?

Use "is being widened" primarily when referring to physical expansion, like roads or channels. Use "is being expanded" when referring to non-physical things like a project, business, or service. The key difference lies on the scope of the subject to be enlarged.