not too wide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not too wide" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a width that is acceptable or appropriate, but not excessive. Example: "The doorway is not too wide, making it easy for everyone to pass through comfortably."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Levi's displeased reaction suggests this estimate is not too wide of the mark.

The Guardian - Arts

It forms a square: slightly rickety, not too wide, not too high.

The Guardian - Arts

90+2 min: Balotelli tries a shot from distance that fizzes wide, but not too wide.

The Guardian - Sport

On the evidence of episode two they're not too wide of the mark.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Ohno spent the first half of the race building speed by finding the right path — not too wide and not too tight.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet just howthe old guys did it seems not too wide of.Dare you to ask how he took our brother aside between one alp and another on thatAustrian postcard and punted: Where would you like to grow up?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

The classic white shirt is made of 100% cotton, with a collar that's neither oversized nor too small; not too pointy and not too wide-apart.

Forbes

"You still got to be pretty careful because it ain't too wide".

The New York Times

Except for one ball where Lara throws his bat at a fullish delivery that isn't too wide but the ball travels to the boundary as if it is pursued by the hounds of hell.

The Guardian - Sport

Finally, since heart shaped faces are the most versatile, any styles that aren't too wide or too slouchy are best for highlighting that delicate shape.

Forbes

The ball isn't heavy enough to be an effective paperweight, and can maybe hold three pens in the fingerholes, if you have some that aren't too wide.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing dimensions, use "not too wide" to indicate an acceptable or optimal width, implying it fits well within defined constraints. For example, "The path is wide enough for two people to walk comfortably, but it's "not too wide" to take up unnecessary space."

Common error

Avoid using "not too wide" when you actually mean "narrow" or "thin". "Not too wide" implies an acceptable range, whereas "narrow" simply describes limited width. Ensure the context supports the implication of suitability rather than just dimension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not too wide" functions as an adjectival phrase, typically modifying a noun to indicate that its width is within acceptable or desirable limits. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used in various contexts to describe physical dimensions or abstract concepts. The examples show it being used to describe objects, spaces, and even abstract estimations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

23%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not too wide" is a versatile adjectival phrase used to indicate that something's width is appropriate or within acceptable limits. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Wiki, and Science. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the intended implication of suitability rather than simply indicating a limited dimension. Consider alternatives like "moderately narrow" or "within reasonable limits" to achieve greater precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately narrow

Focuses on a moderate degree of narrowness rather than limiting excessive width.

not excessively broad

Replaces "wide" with its synonym "broad" and uses "excessively" for emphasis.

of acceptable breadth

Replaces "wide" with "breadth" and uses "acceptable" to indicate suitability.

appropriately sized width

Emphasizes that the width is appropriate for the given context.

within reasonable limits

Shifts from physical width to the concept of acceptable boundaries.

reasonably slim

Focuses on the slimness aspect, implying a controlled width.

a manageable width

Highlights that the width is practical and easy to handle.

not unduly expansive

Emphasizes that something is not excessively spread out.

not overly extended

Highlights the lack of excessive extension in width.

not particularly ample

Uses "ample" as a synonym for "wide" and emphasizes the lack of excess.

FAQs

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

Use "not too wide" to describe something whose width is appropriate and doesn't exceed a certain limit. For example, "The river was deep, but "not too wide" to cross easily."

What are some alternatives to "not too wide"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "moderately narrow", "within reasonable limits", or "of acceptable breadth".

Is it better to say "not too wide" or "narrow"?

"Narrow" simply indicates limited width. "Not too wide" suggests that the width is suitable and doesn't exceed a certain acceptable limit. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize suitability or simply describe dimension.

What does "not too wide of the mark" mean?

"Not too wide of the mark" is an idiom that means "not far from the truth" or "close to being accurate". It's unrelated to physical width. In this context, "wide" refers to the degree of error in an estimation or guess, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.