narrower than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "narrower than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when making comparisons between the widths or dimensions of two objects or concepts. Example: "The new road is narrower than the old one, making it more challenging for larger vehicles to pass through."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

(See "Ford Loss Narrower Than Expected").

Forbes

AMD Q2 Loss Narrower Than Feared.

Forbes

His compass is narrower than Mr. Adams's.

The New York Times

It can't get any narrower than that".

The Economist

But its scope is narrower than the I.M.F.'s.

The New York Times

Upsalite is also riddled with pores narrower than 10 nanometres.

The Guardian

They are also much narrower than regular arugula.

The New York Times

For starters, the track is narrower than it might be.

The Guardian

His repertoire was no narrower than some other famous pianists.

The Economist

But the judgment was narrower than the headlines suggest.

The Economist

The trade deficit was slightly narrower than analysts' expectations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "narrower than" in technical writing, specify the units of measurement to provide a clear comparison (e.g., "The channel is 2 cm narrower than the standard").

Common error

Avoid using "narrower than" when comparing abstract concepts where precision is needed. Instead, opt for terms like "more limited" or "more specific" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "narrower than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to indicate that one thing has a smaller width or scope compared to another. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "narrower than" serves as a comparative tool, commonly used for indicating a smaller width or scope, as validated by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse sources, primarily within News & Media and Scientific domains. When employing "narrower than", ensure precise comparisons and consider context-appropriate alternatives like "less wide than" or "more limited than" for clarity. With a neutral register, this phrase maintains consistent and reliable usage across many fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less wide than

Focuses specifically on width, whereas "narrower than" can apply more broadly to other dimensions or abstract concepts.

not as broad as

Uses 'broad' as the antonym of 'narrow', providing a direct comparison.

of reduced width compared to

A more formal and technical way to express the same concept.

smaller in scope than

Shifts the comparison to the extent or range of something rather than physical dimension.

less extensive than

Emphasizes the reach or comprehensiveness of something in the comparison.

less inclusive than

Indicates that the subject does not encompass as much as the object it is being compared to.

more limited than

Highlights a restriction or constraint compared to something else.

more restricted than

Similar to 'more limited than', but emphasizes imposed limitations.

with a tighter focus than

Implies that the subject has a more concentrated or specific area of attention.

more concise than

Used when referring to a piece of writing or speech that is shorter and more to the point.

FAQs

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

You can use "narrower than" to compare the width or scope of two things. For example, "The new path is "narrower than" the old one" or "This definition is "narrower than" the previous one".

What are some alternatives to saying "narrower than"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "less wide than", "smaller in scope than", or "more limited than".

Is it correct to say "more narrow than" instead of "narrower than"?

While "more narrow than" might be understood, ""narrower than"" is the standard and grammatically preferred comparative form of "narrow".

What's the difference between "narrower than" and "more specific than"?

"Narrower than" typically refers to physical dimensions or scope, while "more specific than" refers to the level of detail or precision in a description or definition.