little bit wider

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little bit wider" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a room or a window that is slightly larger than average, for example: "The windows in the room were a little bit wider than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

I think that's been mentioned that they tried to make it a little bit wider.

The New York Times - Sports

When you mention these two teams together, a lot of eyes get a little bit wider.

The New York Times - Sports

If you open it a little bit wider, you very likely will get a better virus-specific immune response".

The New York Times - Science

The gap was a little bit wider — it wasn't huge, but it was big enough, you know, for a ball to fit through.

The New York Times - Sports

He bowled a little bit wider of off stump into the rough, coming into the stumps and putting the pressure on the batter.

The Guardian - Sport

First, the cracks in Daniels' marriage get a little bit wider as Marla makes clear her disappointment at her husband still being pOlice.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"If the throw was a little bit high or a little bit wide or whatever, I would have been safe.

The New York Times - Sports

Then, with 11 laps to go, Wallace's car went just a little bit wide around one corner, and Elliott, the suddenly rejuvenated 46-year-old driver from Dawsonville, Ga., rolled past him and went on to win the Brickyard 400 by 1.269 seconds, or 10 car lengths.

The New York Times - Sports

I thought sometimes today that our passing was a little bit wide of the mark and a little sloppy.

BBC

Alonso went a little bit wide in Luffield to try to maximise his acceleration by straightening his exit; Vettel stuck his nose on the inside by accelerating a little, where normally you wait.

BBC

"It was a little bit wide in my palm and a little bit long in my fingers," Shapiro told Kelly.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little bit wider", ensure the context provides a clear reference point for comparison. For instance, "The doorway is a "little bit wider" than the standard size."

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "little bit" phrases in your writing. While grammatically sound, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less precise. Vary your descriptions with more specific terms or synonyms to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little bit wider" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a slight increase in width. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable in written English, indicating it is an accepted construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "little bit wider" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to describe a slight increase in width. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's advisable to maintain precision by referencing the point of comparison whenever possible. Alternatives such as "slightly broader" or "marginally wider" can offer more formal options. The phrase is best suited for neutral contexts, making it a useful addition to your descriptive vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly broader

Emphasizes a minimal increase in breadth or range.

a touch wider

Highlights a subtle and delicate change in width.

marginally wider

Indicates a difference that is barely perceptible or measurable.

somewhat wider

Suggests a moderate increase in width, more noticeable than "slightly".

a shade wider

Implies an almost imperceptible difference in width.

just a fraction wider

Focuses on the smallness of the increase in width.

a smidge wider

Emphasizes that the width increase is quite small or informal.

ever so slightly wider

Underscores the subtlety and smallness of the width increase.

a tad wider

Conveys a small, but noticeable, increase in width in a casual way.

a hair wider

Indicates the width is increased by a very small amount, almost negligible.

FAQs

How can I use "little bit wider" in a sentence?

You can use "little bit wider" to describe something that has been slightly increased in width, for example: "The new model has a screen that is a "little bit wider".

What's a more formal alternative to "little bit wider"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "slightly broader" or "marginally wider" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is it always necessary to specify what something is "little bit wider" than?

Ideally, provide a point of reference for clarity. However, in certain contexts, it might be implied. For example, in design discussions, if you say a line should be a "little bit wider", it's assumed to be compared to its current width.

What is the difference between "little bit wider" and "much wider"?

"Little bit wider" implies a small increase in width, whereas "much wider" suggests a significant, more noticeable difference in size. The appropriate phrase depends on the magnitude of the change you wish to describe.