much wider than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much wider than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the width of two or more objects or concepts, indicating that one is significantly broader than the other. Example: "The river is much wider than I expected, making it difficult to cross without a bridge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This alienation went much wider than that.

The Guardian - Opinion

It went much wider than that.

The Guardian

"It's much wider than just immigration.

The Guardian

Their community is much wider than mine and my wife's.

The New York Times

But the problem sadly goes much wider than merchant banks.

Independent

The Channel is still much wider than the Atlantic.

The New York Times

But of course the effect is much wider than that.

The Guardian - Film

"The threat is much wider than Al Qaeda.

The New York Times

But the benefits go much wider than that.

The Guardian

What's more, from top to bottom, the Booker odds are much wider than the Mercury shortlist.

Independent

Moreover, as the Brighton case proves, the story runs much wider than PSPOs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "much wider than", ensure the comparison is clear and the difference is significant. Avoid using it for trivial differences.

Common error

Avoid using "much wider than" when the difference is negligible. It's better to use "slightly wider" or simply "wider" if the difference is not substantial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much wider than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun by indicating that it possesses a significantly greater width compared to something else. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in both literal (physical dimensions) and figurative (scope, range) contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "much wider than" is a grammatically sound and frequently used comparative phrase that signifies a significant difference in width or scope. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is versatile and applicable across diverse contexts, from describing physical dimensions to abstract concepts. While considered correct, it is advisable to ensure the comparison is substantial and clearly articulated. It is found most often in News & Media and Scientific publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far wider than

Synonymous; emphasizes a greater degree of difference in width.

significantly wider than

Emphasizes that the difference in width is notable and important.

considerably wider than

Highlights a substantial difference in width.

substantially wider than

Indicates a large and measurable difference in width.

distinctly wider than

Suggests a clear and easily noticeable difference in width.

appreciably wider than

Highlights that the difference is significant enough to be noticed or have an effect.

markedly wider than

Indicates an obvious and easily observable difference in width.

noticeably wider than

The difference in width is easily observed.

substantially broader than

Changes the specific word to broader; emphasizes a larger range or scope.

significantly broader than

The phrase swaps "wider" with "broader", which keeps the meaning the same but might apply better to non-physical concepts.

FAQs

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

Use "much wider than" to compare two things where one is significantly broader or more extensive than the other. For example, "The new road is "much wider than" the old one, allowing for smoother traffic flow."

What are some alternatives to "much wider than"?

You can use phrases like "far wider than", "significantly wider than", or "considerably wider than" depending on the degree of difference you want to emphasize.

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

Yes, for clarity, it's important to specify the point of comparison. Saying "it's much wider" without context leaves the reader wondering what it's wider than.

When is it appropriate to use "much broader than" instead of "much wider than"?

"Much broader than" is typically used when referring to abstract concepts or scope, while ""much wider than"" is generally used for physical dimensions. For example, "The scope of the project is "much broader than" initially anticipated."