need to be widened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "need to be widened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the necessity of increasing the size or scope of something, such as a road, a perspective, or a discussion. Example: "The current road design is insufficient for the traffic volume; it needs to be widened to accommodate more vehicles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Security perimeters need to be widened.

The New York Times

To make them safer, they would need to be widened and lowered until they started looking like station wagons again.

The New York Times - Magazine

If your parent will be in a wheelchair, the care manager can figure out whether doorways need to be widened or a stair lift should be added.

The New York Times - Health

Virginia expects the new rules to relieve its strained infrastructure budget: through streets are more efficient and cheaper to maintain, and they take pressure off arterial roads that otherwise need to be widened.

The New York Times

To determine whether current indications for prophylaxis need to be widened, enhanced surveillance should be introduced to help characterize any additional groups of patients for whom prophylaxis is not currently recommended but who might be at risk.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The window of meaning needs to be widened.

The New Yorker

Gee has advocated for years that our definition of "literacy" needs to be widened to better suit the times.

The New York Times - Magazine

But it also warned that with 50,000 people across Wales without measles protection, vaccination efforts needed to be widened.

The Guardian

Although Shaikh thinks the driver training pilot scheme looks promising he says it needs to be widened out.

The Guardian

In some parts existing streets needed to be widened, but in others the route was completely blocked, for instance from Houston to Bleecker to Bond to Great Jones.

The New York Times

While everyone agreed that the highway needed to be widened to accommodate more vehicles, some residents insisted that the wetlands not be harmed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "need to be widened", ensure the context clearly defines what is being widened, and why the expansion is necessary for clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "need to be widened" without specifying what needs widening. For example, instead of saying "The approach needs to be widened", specify "The approach to data collection needs to be widened to include qualitative methods" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "need to be widened" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a requirement or necessity for expansion. It's commonly used to express that something requires an increase in scope, size, or range. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "need to be widened" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express the necessity of increasing the scope or size of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to specify exactly what is needing to expand and why. Alternative phrases such as "require expansion" or "should be broadened" offer similar meanings, allowing for nuanced expression. Using it without clear specification could lead to vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

require broadening

Focuses on the necessity of expansion.

require expansion

Highlights the demand for growth or extension.

must be expanded

Emphasizes the obligation to increase in size or scope.

should be broadened

Suggests a recommendation for widening the scope.

ought to be extended

Implies a moral or practical necessity for lengthening or widening.

must be amplified

Highlights the obligation to strengthen or increase.

should be augmented

Suggests that something would benefit from being enhanced or supplemented.

requires further development

Focuses on the need for additional growth and refinement.

demands greater outreach

Emphasizes the need to extend services or efforts to a larger audience.

calls for an expanded view

Highlights the necessity for a more comprehensive perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "need to be widened" in a sentence?

Use "need to be widened" to indicate the necessity of increasing the scope or size of something. For example: "The security perimeter "needs to be widened" to better protect the facility".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "need to be widened"?

Alternatives include "require expansion", "must be expanded", or "should be broadened", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "need to be widened"?

Yes, "need to be widened" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice to express that something requires expansion or broadening.

In what contexts is "need to be widened" most appropriately used?

"Need to be widened" is suitable in contexts where discussing improvements, modifications, or expansions, such as in urban planning, policy development, or strategic discussions. The phrase emphasizes a recognized necessity for broadening scope or size.