narrow the gap in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "narrow the gap in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts to reduce differences or disparities in various contexts, such as economics, education, or social issues. Example: "The government aims to narrow the gap in educational attainment between urban and rural areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

If we want to narrow the gap in educational achievement, homework, too, must be factored in.

The New York Times

For poor children this means high-quality preschools that can help narrow the gap in vocabulary and general knowledge.

The New York Times

Even the lowest showed him jump up to narrow the gap: in the last lap, trajectory is vital.

The Guardian - Opinion

She stopped well short of saying what the United States would propose to narrow the gap in this new session.

The New York Times

This so-called pupil premium is intended to narrow the gap in exam results between disadvantaged children and their richer peers.

The Guardian

The pupil premium provides a genuine opportunity to narrow the gap in achievement between pupils from poor homes and their better-off peers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Health policy experts say the disclosures may also help narrow the gaps in the treatments offered for identical diseases by doctors and health plans across the country.

The New York Times

We must address relative poverty within and between countries to narrow the gaps in access, opportunities and outcomes between the rich and poor.

The Guardian

But Benfica gave themselves breathing space when Luisao narrowed the gap in first-half injury time.

The Guardian - Sport

But Laithwaites has narrowed the gap in the past year, with an increasingly impressive list.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The ECB's announcement of its policy narrowed the gap in bond yields between Europe's core and periphery.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "narrow the gap in", clearly identify the two elements between which the gap is being reduced to provide context and clarity. For instance, "narrow the gap in income inequality" is more effective than simply "narrow the gap."

Common error

Avoid using "narrow the gap in" when a simpler word like "reduce" or "decrease" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "narrow the gap in" functions as a verbal phrase, typically followed by a noun phrase indicating the specific disparity being addressed. It describes the action of reducing a difference or inequality, often in measurable terms. Ludwig shows that this is considered correct and usable in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "narrow the gap in" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that effectively conveys the concept of reducing disparities across various domains. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a verbal phrase with a neutral register, making it suitable for news, scientific, and business writing. While alternatives like "close the gap in" or "reduce the disparity in" exist, "narrow the gap in" provides a nuanced way to express a gradual and focused effort to diminish differences. Remember to use this phrase with clear context to highlight precisely what disparities are being addressed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close the gap in

Implies a complete or near-complete elimination of the difference.

reduce the disparity in

Focuses on reducing inequality or imbalance, with a slightly more formal tone.

bridge the divide in

Suggests overcoming a significant separation or disagreement.

lessen the difference in

A more general term, indicating a reduction in any kind of dissimilarity.

mitigate the inequality in

Highlights efforts to alleviate unfairness or injustice.

ameliorate the imbalance in

Similar to "mitigate", but suggests improving a situation to make it more balanced.

shrink the divide in

Similar to bridge the divide, but less powerful in meaning.

rectify the inequity in

Suggests correcting an unjust or unfair situation.

even out the discrepancy in

Emphasizes making things more uniform or consistent.

level the playing field in

Implies creating fairer conditions where everyone has an equal opportunity.

FAQs

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

You can use "narrow the gap in" to describe efforts to reduce differences or disparities. For example, "The new policy aims to "narrow the gap in" healthcare access between urban and rural communities."

What can I say instead of "narrow the gap in"?

You can use alternatives like "close the gap in", "reduce the disparity in", or "bridge the divide in" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "narrow the gap in" or "close the gap"?

Both ""narrow the gap in"" and "close the gap" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Narrow the gap in" suggests a gradual reduction, while "close the gap" implies a more complete elimination of the difference.

What's the difference between "narrow the gap in" and "reduce the gap in"?

"Narrow the gap in" and "reduce the gap in" are largely interchangeable. However, ""narrow the gap in"" often implies a focused effort to bring two specific things closer together, while "reduce the gap in" can be a more general statement of lessening a difference.