narrow the gap between

USAGE SUMMARY

"narrow the gap between" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to reducing or decreasing the difference or distance between two things. It can be used in many contexts, such as in business, politics, or personal relationships. Example: The government's new policies aim to narrow the gap between the rich and the poor by providing more opportunities for low-income individuals to access education and job training programs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The measure was taken to narrow the gap between short and long-term rates.

The New York Times

Of course we all want to narrow the gap between disadvantaged children and others.

The Guardian - Opinion

Policies that narrow the gap between the rich and the poor have clear popular support".

The Guardian

The announcement builds on £20m pledged to narrow the gap between disadvantaged children and their peers.

The Guardian

The GOP is too narrow; the gap between the parties, too wide.

The Washington Post

Mr. Obama said it was the government's obligation to narrow the gap between rich and poor.

The New York Times

But that would do nothing to narrow the gap between the league's rich and poor teams.

The Economist

This would help to narrow the gap between the banks' dollarised assets and liabilities.

The Economist

He did his utmost to narrow the gap between "Reds" and "Whites" after the Civil War.

Encyclopedia Britannica

President Bush's overseas trip has done nothing to narrow the gap between his administration and Europe on global warming.

The New York Times

For many Americans, the workplace has helped narrow the gap between our professed values and our everyday actions.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "narrow the gap between" when you want to emphasize reducing differences or disparities between two distinct entities or concepts. It's particularly effective in discussions about socioeconomic issues, performance metrics, or conceptual understandings.

Common error

Avoid using "narrow the gap between" when discussing a single entity. The phrase requires two distinct subjects. For example, instead of "narrow the gap between his potential and achievements" rephrase to something like "bridge the divide between his perceived potential and actual accomplishments".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "narrow the gap between" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action taken to reduce differences. It is often used to describe efforts to diminish disparities or inequalities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "narrow the gap between" is a versatile expression used to convey the reduction of differences between two entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted, especially in formal contexts such as news reporting, scientific research, and academic discussions. The phrase is most commonly deployed when discussing socioeconomic disparities or when bridging conceptual divides. While alternatives exist, such as ""bridge the divide between"" and ""close the disparity between"", it's important to ensure the context involves two distinct subjects to maintain accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bridge the divide between

Focuses on overcoming a separation or disagreement, rather than just reducing a difference.

close the disparity between

Highlights the inequality that exists and the attempt to reduce it.

reduce the distance between

Emphasizes the spatial or figurative distance being lessened.

diminish the contrast between

Focuses on making two things less distinct from each other.

lessen the inequality between

Specifically targets the reduction of unfair differences.

minimize the difference between

Suggests reducing the discrepancy to the smallest possible amount.

bring closer together

Implies a movement towards unity or agreement.

level the playing field

Aims to create equal opportunities by reducing advantages some have over others.

blur the lines between

Focuses on making distinctions less clear.

equalize the relationship between

Suggests making the elements of a relationship balanced.

FAQs

How can I use "narrow the gap between" in a sentence?

The phrase "narrow the gap between" is used to describe the act of reducing differences between two things. For example, "The new policy aims to "narrow the gap between" the rich and the poor".

What's a good alternative to "narrow the gap between"?

Alternatives include "bridge the divide between", "close the disparity between", or "reduce the distance between" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "narrow the gap from" instead of "narrow the gap between"?

No, it is more appropriate to use "narrow the gap between" when referring to two distinct entities. "From" implies a starting point, while "between" specifies a relationship concerning two subjects.

In what contexts is "narrow the gap between" most appropriate?

This phrase is particularly useful when discussing inequality, disparities in performance, or conceptual differences, such as "narrowing the gap between" theory and practice or "narrowing the gap between" rich and poor.