narrower

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "narrower" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that can be used to describe something as being of less width than something else. For example, "The hallway was much narrower than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

TNS, which is regarded as more cautious than other pollsters, said its findings suggested the gap between the SNP and Scottish Labour is much narrower than the 20-point lead given to the nationalists in a spate of other recent polls, but that it was still gloomy news for the Scottish Labour leader, Jim Murphy.

The Guardian

This is why the Empire State building grows narrower as it rises.

The Guardian

Environmentalists are concerned that ships navigating reef passageways – many of which are narrower than the English Channel – will run aground, as a Chinese vessel did in 2010, tearing a two-mile gash into the coral and spilling several tonnes of oil.

The Guardian

This measure of store prices is narrower than consumer price inflation (CPI), which also includes utility bills, and the cost of services such as haircuts and restaurant meals.

The Guardian - Business

But men, by and large, employ a much narrower palette when it comes to sending messages by clothes and so there is less to be said about them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If Labor wants to pursue a constructive agenda, the "tough" policies needed to fund it – yet maintain the balanced budget over the cycle – should be directed at a narrower constituency.

The Guardian - Opinion

The lane gets narrower and narrower as we enter the barene, the otherwordly sandflats that stretch as far as the eye can see.

The Guardian - Travel

Here's Chris: The poll gives Obama 69% Latino support to 21% for Romney, although it is a little narrower in battleground states such as Florida, Iowa and North Carolina.

The Guardian

In the absence of being able to accurately predict which skills will be in demand in the future workforce, surely it makes more sense to build broad generalist skills of numeracy and literacy in the early years, rather than concentrate on the narrower skill of coding.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I certainly think," he replies, "that as things stand at present, the party has adopted a narrower focus".

The Guardian

A second ballot, in 1994, also favoured rejection, this time by the narrower margin of 52.2% to 47.8%.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "narrower", ensure you clearly specify what is being compared. For example, instead of just saying "a narrower focus", specify "a narrower focus compared to previous efforts".

Common error

Avoid using "narrower" without providing clear context or comparison. Ambiguity can arise if the reader doesn't understand what is being narrowed or what it is being compared to.

Linguistic Context

The term "narrower" functions primarily as a comparative adjective. It is used to describe something that has a smaller width or a more limited scope compared to something else. Ludwig shows many example where "narrower" is used to indicate a smaller size or a more restricted range.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

22%

Opinion

9%

Less common in

Travel

2%

Lifestyle

2%

Sport

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "narrower" serves as a comparative adjective, used to denote a reduction in width or scope. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and business. When using "narrower", ensure clarity by explicitly stating what is being compared. While versatile, avoid overuse without context to maintain precision and avoid ambiguity. Related terms like "less broad" or "more focused" can offer nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smaller in width

Specifically refers to a decrease in physical width, providing a direct synonym.

less broad

Emphasizes a reduction in breadth, scope, or range compared to "narrower".

more constricted

Highlights a sense of restriction or compression, similar to a reduction in width.

less extensive

Focuses on a reduction in extent or scope, rather than physical width.

more limited

Indicates a reduction in permissible actions, range, or scope.

more confined

Suggests a restriction within boundaries, similar to a narrowing effect.

more compact

Emphasizes a denser arrangement of elements, implying reduced space or width.

more restricted

Indicates limits in possibilities or functions, akin to a limitation in scope.

less inclusive

Focuses on a reduction in the range or number of elements included.

more focused

Suggests a greater concentration on specific aspects, implying reduced dispersion or scope.

FAQs

How can I use "narrower" in a sentence?

You can use "narrower" to compare the width of two objects, such as "This street is "narrower" than the main avenue", or to describe a more limited focus, such as "The investigation has a "narrower" scope now".

What's the difference between "narrower" and "smaller"?

"Narrower" specifically refers to width, while "smaller" is a more general term indicating a reduction in overall size or dimensions. Something can be smaller without being "narrower", and vice versa.

What can I say instead of "narrower"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "less broad", "more limited", or "more focused". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the more narrower"?

No, it is not correct. "Narrower" is already a comparative adjective. Using "more" with it is redundant. You should simply say ""narrower"".