more narrowly defined

USAGE SUMMARY

"more narrowly defined" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to something that has been specified or refined in greater detail. For example, you might say, "The rules for the competition were more narrowly defined this year, now allowing only students in the upper grades to participate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Leaving the more narrowly defined field of folk and peasant studies, Redfield sought to understand the implications of wider cultural change.

University of Chicago

The use of successive fractionation allows not only for the preparation of GO fractions with more narrowly defined properties, but also provides a method for characterizing GO batches.

Carbon

But those are much more narrowly defined.

The Washington Post

"Pops," though also derived from "popular," is more narrowly defined.

The New York Times - Arts

The policy has become "more targeted, more narrowly defined and more implementable," he added.

The Washington Post

The regulations, which were more narrowly defined in the campaign finance reform act of 2002, leave open large possibilities.

The New York Times

Otherwise, warfare serves broad ideologies and not the more narrowly defined interests of a sovereign or a nation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(Ten years ago, the basis of star ratings started to shift from broader asset classes to more narrowly defined categories).

The New York Times

Through these, a brand can reach broad Twitter audiences or more narrowly defined geographic or demographic segments.

The New York Times

Some act as a general support system for those on the brink of poverty, while others target specific populations with more narrowly defined needs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gamal Mubarak told me that the regime had plans to replace the Emergency Law with a more narrowly defined anti-terrorism statute.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more narrowly defined", ensure the context clearly indicates what the original, broader definition was. Providing this contrast enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "more narrowly defined" without clarifying the initial broader scope. Failing to provide this context can leave the reader confused about the intended comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more narrowly defined" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically used to describe how a concept, term, or category has been refined to have a more specific or limited scope. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more narrowly defined" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies a reduction in scope or increased specificity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is commonly found in scientific, news, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly indicate the initial, broader definition to provide necessary context. Alternatives such as "more specifically defined" or "more precisely defined" can be used depending on the intended emphasis. Failing to clarify the initial scope is a common error to avoid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more precisely defined

Emphasizes the accuracy and exactness of the definition.

more specifically defined

Highlights the detailed and particular nature of the definition.

more strictly defined

Focuses on the rigid and uncompromising nature of the definition.

more restrictively defined

Indicates limitations or constraints placed on the definition.

more closely defined

Suggests a definition that is more meticulous and detailed.

more accurately defined

Implies a greater degree of correctness and precision in the definition.

more exactly defined

Stresses the elimination of ambiguity and the attainment of precision.

more rigorously defined

Emphasizes the strict adherence to rules and standards in the definition.

more tightly defined

Conveys a sense of compactness and reduced ambiguity in the definition.

more narrowly circumscribed

Focuses on the limitation of the definition within specific boundaries.

FAQs

How can I use "more narrowly defined" in a sentence?

You can use "more narrowly defined" to indicate that something has become more specific or limited in scope. For example, "The criteria for eligibility were "more narrowly defined" this year".

What's the difference between "more narrowly defined" and "more broadly defined"?

"More narrowly defined" means something has become more specific and limited, while "more broadly defined" means it has become more inclusive and general.

What can I say instead of "more narrowly defined"?

Alternatives include "more specifically defined", "more precisely defined", or "more strictly defined", depending on the context.

Is "more narrowly defined" grammatically correct?

Yes, "more narrowly defined" is grammatically correct and commonly used in academic, news, and general writing contexts.