most widely

USAGE SUMMARY

"most widely" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize that something is popular or common in a given situation. For example: "The iPhone is one of the most widely used devices in the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is the most widely recycled plastic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

PET is the most widely recycled plastic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Perhaps the most widely used is ginger.

The Guardian

Her hats are the most widely worn.

The New York Times - Style

Tamoxifen is the world's most widely prescribed breast-cancer drug.

The New York Times

It is still the Cape's most widely planted variety.

The New York Times - Food

The freeze includes its most widely prescribed AIDS medicine, Combivir.

The New York Times

It is the most widely available shoulder-fired missile.

The New York Times

José is one of the most widely read Filipino authors.

The Guardian

Lucent's shares are the most widely held in the nation.

The New York Times

The most widely used is internet-based mediation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most widely" to emphasize the widespread nature of something, providing context to support your claim. For example, "This technology is the "most widely" adopted in the industry, with over 80% of companies using it."

Common error

Avoid using "widely" alone when you intend to convey the superlative degree. "Most widely" explicitly indicates the highest degree of prevalence, whereas "widely" simply implies broad occurrence. For instance, instead of saying 'This method is widely used', say 'This method is the "most widely" used'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most widely" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying an adjective or verb. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It emphasizes the superlative degree of the modified term, indicating the greatest extent or frequency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most widely" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the extent to which something is prevalent or common. Grammatically correct and frequently used, as Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. When using "most widely", ensure that you are highlighting the superlative degree of prevalence, differentiating it from the simple "widely". Alternatives include "most commonly" and "most extensively". By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively use "most widely" to add emphasis and clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most extensively

Replaces "widely" with "extensively", emphasizing breadth of use or application.

most popularly

Substitutes "widely" with "popularly", highlighting favor or acceptance by a large group.

most commonly

Uses "commonly" instead of "widely", focusing on frequency of occurrence.

most generally

Employs "generally" in place of "widely", suggesting overall or broad acceptance.

to the greatest extent

Offers a more formal alternative, emphasizing the degree to which something is done.

on a grand scale

Shifts the focus to the size or scope of prevalence.

more than anyone else

Changes the construction to an implicit comparison to other people or entities.

in the majority of cases

Highlights the frequency of the occurrence in relation to other possibilities.

predominantly

Focuses on the prevailing nature of something, being prominent or dominant.

virtually everywhere

Emphasizes the ubiquity of something, being present in almost all places.

FAQs

How can I use "most widely" in a sentence?

Use "most widely" to describe something that is prevalent or common. For example, "English is the "most widely" spoken language in international business" or "This software is the "most widely" used tool for data analysis."

What are some alternatives to saying "most widely"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "most commonly", "most extensively", or "most popularly" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "more widely" instead of "most widely"?

"More widely" is used for comparative statements, while "most widely" is used for superlative statements. For instance, you would say "This brand is more widely available than that brand", but "This is the "most widely" available brand on the market".

What is the difference between "widely" and "most widely"?

"Widely" indicates a broad or general occurrence, while "most widely" indicates the highest degree of occurrence or prevalence. Using "most widely" suggests that something is more prevalent than anything else in its category. For example, 'This is widely accepted', versus 'This is the "most widely" accepted theory'.