kept widening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept widening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a process of gradual increase or expansion over time, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "As the discussion progressed, the gap between their opinions kept widening, making it difficult to reach a consensus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But it is also because the scandal has kept widening.

The Economist

"From there, Jim Dandy kept widening his margin," Gilcoyne said.

The New York Times - Sports

The differences kept widening until just after Poland joined the EU.

The Economist

The latest numbers from the Census Bureau show a $63.8 billion May deficit, and as always, the gap with China kept widening, to $17.7 billion.

The New York Times

Also, except for intestinal metaplasia-dysplasia and normal-minor change differences (which diminished artifactually towards the end), the gaps kept widening throughout the entire follow-up period.

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

And that gap keeps widening.

The Guardian

The surplus is expected to keep widening.

The Economist

Yoshida keeps widening the frame, exposing cruelty and alienation at all levels of Japanese society.

The New Yorker

"Her comfort zone keeps widening as she soaks up new influences," Mr. Kunz said.

The New York Times

In New York, meanwhile, the Knicks keep widening the moat around Madison Square Garden.

The New York Times - Sports

Of course, Dolan keeps widening Dolan territory with his mind-bending rehiring of Isiah Thomas as a Knicks consultant.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept widening" to describe a gradual and continuous increase in size, scope, or difference. It's effective in narratives where a situation evolves over time.

Common error

Avoid using "kept widening" when describing a one-time event. It implies a process that unfolded gradually, not an instantaneous change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept widening" functions as a verb phrase indicating a continuous action. It describes something that repeatedly or consistently became wider. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, as it often appears to describe processes of gradual increase or expansion.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kept widening" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe a process of continuous expansion. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for describing gradual increases in size, scope, or difference over time. While not exceptionally common, appearing rarely, it finds its primary use in news and media contexts. Alternatives include "continued to expand" or "was still expanding", but it's important to note that "kept widening" implies a repeated action, setting it apart from single-instance terms like "widened".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued to expand

Focuses on physical or metaphorical growth.

was still expanding

Simple alternative that indicates ongoing expansion.

continued to broaden

Emphasizes the expansion of scope or range.

was still increasing

Similar to 'was still expanding' but focuses on numeric growth.

continued to increase

Highlights a rise in quantity or size.

maintained its growth

Highlights the act of actively preserving the widening state.

remained in expansion

Formal alternative that indicates persistence in growing.

sustained its expansion

Indicates that the widening was supported or prolonged.

persisted in growth

Emphasizes the steadfast nature of the expansion.

showed no signs of shrinking

Emphasizes the lack of contraction rather than the presence of expansion.

FAQs

How can I use "kept widening" in a sentence?

Use "kept widening" to illustrate a gradual increase or expansion. For example, "As the scandal unfolded, the list of possible victims "kept widening"".

What are some alternatives to using "kept widening"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "continued to expand", "continued to increase", or "was still expanding".

Is it appropriate to use "kept widening" in formal writing?

Yes, "kept widening" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when describing gradual changes or expansions. However, consider more formal alternatives like "remained in expansion" for highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "kept widening" and "widened"?

"Widened" implies a single event or a completed action of becoming wider, while "kept widening" suggests a continuous or repeated process of expansion over time.