is wider than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is wider than' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to compare the width of two objects. For example: "The river is wider than the stream that runs through our town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The smile is wider than the torso.

The New York Times - Books

"The movement is wider than that organisation.

The Guardian

The sport is wider than just that.

The Guardian - Sport

"But wider is wider than wide.

The Guardian - Sport

One is standard, the other is wider than standard.

Harvard University

The yes camp is wider than the official yes campaign.

The Guardian - Opinion

The ideological divide is wider than in any recent election.

The Economist

The circle of blame is wider than the executive branch.

The New York Times

And that spiral is wider than the undistorted cord.

The Economist

Though why narrower is wider than narrow beats me".

The Guardian - Sport

The aspect ratio, too, is wider than in television.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing physical dimensions, use "is wider than" to clearly indicate that one object's width exceeds another's. For abstract concepts, consider alternatives like "more comprehensive" or "more extensive" to ensure semantic accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "is wider than" when you intend to convey a broader scope or range. Instead, opt for phrases like "more comprehensive than" or "more inclusive than" to accurately reflect the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is wider than" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to indicate that one thing has a greater width dimension compared to another. This is supported by Ludwig's finding that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

25%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is wider than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative phrase to describe differences in width between objects. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. Analysis of usage patterns reveals its prevalence in News & Media, Science, and Academia. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the comparison of width and consider alternative phrasing like "more comprehensive" when discussing abstract concepts. The phrase's versatility makes it suitable for various writing styles, maintaining a neutral formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is broader than

This alternative employs a synonym for "wider", maintaining a similar comparative meaning with a slight variation in vocabulary.

has a greater width than

This alternative is more descriptive and explicitly states the comparison of width, suitable for technical or precise contexts.

is of greater width than

This alternative uses a more formal and somewhat verbose structure to express the comparison of width.

exceeds in width

This alternative uses a verb-based structure to emphasize the act of surpassing in width, providing a more formal tone.

presents a greater width than

Emphasizes that the object being described exhibits more width than something else.

extends further in width than

This alternative highlights the extension aspect of width, suitable when describing physical expansion or spatial dimensions.

surpasses in breadth

Using "breadth" instead of "width" and "surpasses" provides a more sophisticated and less common way to express the comparison.

is larger across than

This alternative directly relates to the dimension across, offering a clear and straightforward comparison.

outmeasures in width

This option emphasizes the act of measurement, implying a precise comparison of dimensions.

is more expansive than

While "expansive" can refer to area or scope, it can also imply width in certain contexts, offering a broader comparative sense.

FAQs

How can I use "is wider than" in a sentence?

Use "is wider than" to compare the physical width of two objects. For example, "The highway "is wider than" the old country road."

What are some alternatives to saying "is wider than"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "is broader than", "has a greater width than", or "exceeds in width".

Is it appropriate to use "is wider than" for abstract concepts?

While technically correct, using "is wider than" for abstract concepts may sound awkward. Consider alternatives like "more comprehensive", "more extensive", or "more inclusive" for better clarity and semantic accuracy.

Which is correct, "is wider than" or "is more wide than"?

"Is wider than" is the grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. "Is more wide than" is redundant because "wider" is already a comparative adjective.