much narrower than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much narrower than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the width or extent of two things, indicating that one is significantly less wide than the other. Example: "The new road is much narrower than the old one, making it difficult for two cars to pass each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are also much narrower than regular arugula.

The New York Times

The Iraqi program was much narrower than the similar de-Nazification program in 1945.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such a criterion is much narrower than the "public interest", says the government.

The Guardian

Though his margin of victory was much narrower than in past elections, he still won handily.

The New York Times

Their horizon for experimentation is so much narrower than that of their Western counterparts.

The New Yorker

Everywhere, the gap among the young is much narrower than it is in the population as a whole.

The Economist

It is only that one can now see more clearly the limits of that talent, limits which are much narrower than I had hoped.

The Guardian - Film

Needless to say, traffic was a little hairy approaching the area, but luckily my vehicle is much narrower than many on the road.

The New York Times

The format is in a ratio much narrower than we are used to, closer to a square than to a broad landscape.

The New Yorker

"I think the decision is right, but it is much narrower than the religious institutions had hoped for," she said in an e-mail.

The New York Times

They say streets here are much narrower than in Europe, where water cannon are already in use, thus making them less effective and potentially vulnerable to capture.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "much narrower than", ensure that you are comparing two items that are logically comparable in terms of width, scope, or extent. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "much narrower than" in contexts where the comparison isn't directly related to width or scope. For instance, saying "His argument was much narrower than expected" might be better phrased as "His argument was significantly more limited than expected" to accurately convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much narrower than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to compare two entities, asserting that one has a significantly smaller width, scope, or range compared to the other. Ludwig examples showcase its use in both concrete and abstract contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "much narrower than" is a comparative phrase used to express that something is significantly less wide, extensive, or broad compared to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in scientific and news-related contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure a logical comparison and be mindful of the context. In situations where the comparison is abstract, consider more appropriate alternatives such as "more limited" or "more selective". Its prevalence across reputable sources makes it a versatile and reliable choice for expressing differences in dimension or scope.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly less broad than

Replaces "narrower" with "less broad", offering a different way to describe a smaller extent or scope; slightly more formal.

considerably more restricted than

Uses "more restricted" instead of "narrower", emphasizing limitations rather than physical dimensions. Changes the degree with "considerably".

markedly more limited than

Substitutes "narrower" with "more limited", focusing on constraints or restrictions. Emphasizes degree with "markedly".

substantially more confined than

Employs "more confined" to highlight limitations or containment instead of physical narrowness. Intensifies the degree of difference with "substantially".

appreciably smaller in scope than

Focuses on the scope being smaller, useful when discussing abstract concepts rather than physical dimensions. "Appreciably" indicates a noticeable difference.

noticeably more selective than

Shifts the comparison to selectivity, implying a smaller range of options or criteria. "Noticeably" emphasizes a clear difference.

distinctly tighter than

Uses "tighter" to suggest a more constrained or limited scope. "Distinctly" highlights a clear difference in constraint.

significantly reduced compared to

Changes the structure to use "reduced compared to", focusing on the act of reduction and its impact. Emphasizes the level of reduction with "significantly".

considerably curtailed compared to

Employs "curtailed" to suggest a reduction or limitation, often in rights or freedoms. Intensifies the level of curtailment with "considerably".

palpably less extensive than

Replaces "narrower" with "less extensive", focusing on coverage or reach. "Palpably" suggests the difference is easily perceived.

FAQs

How can I use "much narrower than" in a sentence?

You can use "much narrower than" to compare the width, scope, or range of two things, indicating that one is significantly smaller or more limited than the other. For example: "The landing zone will be "much narrower than" the crater's width."

What are some alternatives to saying "much narrower than"?

Alternatives include "significantly less broad than", "markedly more limited than", or "considerably more restricted than", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "much narrower than" when comparing abstract concepts?

While grammatically correct, "much narrower than" is best suited for comparisons involving concrete width or scope. For abstract comparisons, consider alternatives like "more limited than" or "more selective than" to avoid potential ambiguity.

What's the difference between "much narrower than" and "slightly narrower than"?

"Much narrower than" indicates a significant difference in width or scope, whereas "slightly narrower than" suggests only a small or marginal difference. The choice depends on the degree of difference you want to emphasize.