narrows down

USAGE SUMMARY

"narrows down" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a narrowing in scope or selection process. For example, "The professor's criteria for the project narrowed down the applicants to the five most qualified."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At any rate, Summit also narrows down in places, especially around bends in the street.

Los Angeles Times

Sort of narrows down the choices.

The New York Times

The temperature window where transition occurs slightly narrows down with increasing concentration.

Polymer

The Accelerate contest narrows down the semifinalists over the next month through mentoring and workshops.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What comes after "Jefferson wrote the Declaration of" narrows down the possibilities rather a lot more.

The Economist

This narrows down the list of boys who must be worried.

Independent

This helpfully narrows down the shows worth considering to everything in the entire Fringe.

The Guardian

It rules out some versions of "inflation" and really narrows down the options.

The Guardian

"That kind of narrows down the time the coalition will be here".

The New York Times

"Maybe once the field narrows down to two or three, we'll spend more time looking at each other.

The New York Times

At another, it narrows down to the width of a block and a half in northeast Baltimore.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "narrows down" to clearly indicate a reduction in scope, options, or possibilities, making the subject more specific and manageable. For instance, "Filtering criteria 'narrows down' the search results, making it easier to find what you need."

Common error

While "narrows down" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal contexts. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "restricts", "reduces", or "refines" to enhance the writing's tone and precision. For instance, instead of "The study 'narrows down' the causes", consider "The study "restricts" the causes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "narrows down" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically a transitive one. It signifies the act of reducing, limiting, or making something more specific. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates a narrowing in scope or selection process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "narrows down" is a versatile and common phrasal verb used to describe the process of reducing or limiting possibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and general usability. While most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, it is important to consider more formal synonyms in certain registers. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, writers can effectively use "narrows down" to enhance clarity and precision in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduces the options

Emphasizes the act of decreasing the number of available choices.

limits the scope

Focuses on restricting the range or extent of something.

restricts the field

Emphasizes a limitation on the area or subject under consideration.

filters the results

Implies removing unwanted elements to leave a more concentrated selection.

constricts the selection

Highlights a tightening or compression of the possible choices.

curtails the possibilities

Focuses on reducing the extent or degree of the chances.

winnows the candidates

Indicates a sifting or selection process to remove less desirable options.

refines the search

Suggests a process of improvement and precision in the selection process.

focuses the attention

Shifts the emphasis to a more specific area of interest.

differentiates the key factors

Highlights the aspect of distinguishing characteristics to better define a choice.

FAQs

How can I use "narrows down" in a sentence?

Use "narrows down" to indicate a reduction in scope or possibilities. For example, "The selection process 'narrows down' the candidates to the most qualified."

What are some alternatives to "narrows down"?

You can use alternatives such as "reduces", "restricts", or "refines" depending on the context.

Is "narrows down" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "narrows down" can sometimes sound informal. In formal writing, consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "limits the scope" or "constricts the selection".

What does it mean when something "narrows down" a set of options?

When something "narrows down" options, it reduces the number of possibilities by applying specific criteria or filters, making the selection more manageable and focused.