not as wide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not as wide" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the width of two or more objects, indicating that one is narrower than the other. Example: "The new table is not as wide as the old one, making it more suitable for the smaller room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Nothing is different about crocs except that they are not as wide at the toe end.

The New Yorker

Perhaps that's why the margin of victory was not as wide as usual.

The New York Times

But the gap is not as wide as you might imagine.

The New Yorker

"Yeah, but in France the cars are smaller, so it's as deep but not as wide".

The New Yorker

We already know that one, Eris, is more massive than Pluto -- just not as wide across.

The Washington Post

Differences were not as wide as first thought, suggested NPT optimists.

The Economist

Turning it gives you a much taller panorama that's not as wide.

The New York Times

Dishonored is a playpen for expression, perhaps not as wide or diverse as it aspires to be, but wide enough.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Anil's Ghost" is more tightly focused than "The English Patient," and not as wide-ranging.

The New York Times - Books

It is taller than M. stellata but not as wide-spreading.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However, Mrs May's concession was not as wide-ranging as investors had hoped, causing sterling to dip again.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the width of objects, ensure that the context clearly indicates what you are comparing ""not as wide"" to. For instance, instead of saying "the road is not as wide", specify "the road is not as wide as it used to be" or "the road is not as wide as the highway".

Common error

Avoid using ""not as wide"" without a clear reference point. Saying "the screen is not as wide" leaves the reader wondering what it's being compared to. Always provide a specific comparison to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not as wide" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that something has a smaller width compared to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

22%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not as wide" is a versatile and grammatically sound comparative expression used to indicate that something is less broad than something else. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability across various contexts. As demonstrated by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used in News & Media, Science, and Wiki articles. While alternatives like "narrower than" or "less broad" exist, "not as wide" remains a common and clear choice for comparative descriptions. When using this phrase, always ensure a clear reference point for comparison to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less broad

This alternative directly substitutes "wide" with "broad", indicating a smaller extent across.

not so broad

This option replaces "as" with "so", creating a slightly less formal tone but retaining the meaning.

narrower than

This uses a direct comparative, replacing the full phrase with a single adjective comparison.

not quite as wide

Adding "quite" softens the comparison, suggesting a marginal difference in width.

not nearly as wide

"Nearly" emphasizes a more significant difference in width, making it noticeably smaller.

smaller in width

This phrase explicitly states that the comparison is regarding the dimension of width.

less extensive

This phrase focuses on the extent or scope rather than physical width.

not as expansive

This uses "expansive" to describe something that doesn't cover as much area.

not as comprehensive

This alternative refers to the completeness or thoroughness of something rather than its physical dimension.

not reaching as far across

This describes something that does not extend to the same degree horizontally.

FAQs

How can I use "not as wide" in a sentence?

You can use "not as wide" to compare the width of two objects or concepts. For example, "This river is "not as wide as" the Amazon River", or "The ideological gap is "not as wide as" it once was".

What's a simple substitute for "not as wide"?

A simple substitute for "not as wide" is "narrower than". It directly conveys that one thing is less wide than another.

Is it correct to say "less wide" instead of "not as wide"?

Yes, "less wide" is a grammatically correct and acceptable alternative to "not as wide". Both phrases mean the same thing.

Which is more formal, "not as wide" or "narrower"?

Narrower is generally considered more concise and slightly more formal, whereas "not as wide" is a more descriptive and commonly used phrase across various contexts.