somewhat wider

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat wider" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is wider to a certain degree, but not excessively so. Example: "The new design is somewhat wider than the previous model, allowing for more comfort."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The gulf in understanding is somewhat wider.

The Guardian

In the United States the release of a DVD in 2006 brought the film to a somewhat wider audience.

The New York Times

There would be more surprises in the postwar years, as color slide film came into somewhat wider use.

The New York Times

Another figure that NBC shared with reporters later in the afternoon, that showed a somewhat wider gap, was not backed up by Nielsen.

The New York Times

Yes, I was hired at the Times because I'm supposed to know something about economics, but I am on the op-ed page, which means that I both should and do go somewhat wider.

The New York Times

"We estimate that constraints on the ability of the government to reduce spending amid moderate nominal GDP growth will lead to somewhat wider deficits for longer than currently budgeted," Moody's said.

The Guardian

A. It will create more volatility because the ranges on earnings estimates will be somewhat wider, and surprises will be more frequent on both the upside and the downside.

The New York Times

The Nowaks have no more depth than sitcom characters, but they can be seen as stations on Mr. Dudzick's own journey from naïve belief to, shall we say, a somewhat wider view of religion.

The New York Times

But we, claiming a greater share of wisdom than the bees, will investigate a somewhat wider problem, namely that, of all equilateral and equiangular plane figures having the same perimeter, that which has the greater number of angles is always greater, and the greatest of them all is the circle having its perimeter equal to them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But Dr. Jensen said it was safer to adapt cars for cooking oil use, an adjustment that can be done for about $300 and involves putting in a small heater to pre-warm fuel so that it is thinner, and installing injection nozzles that are somewhat wider.

The New York Times - Science

For while many professional physicists recognize him for his technical research on the structure of crystal surfaces, to the somewhat wider audience that includes readers of his weekly newsletter and zany inventors of all types, Mr. Park, 69, is known as a gadfly, an indefatigable debunker of alien abductions, miraculous cures, infinite energy sources and wasteful spending.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "somewhat wider", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat wider" when the difference is actually substantial. If the increase is significant, opt for stronger terms like "considerably wider" or "significantly broader".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat wider" functions primarily as an adjectival modifier, used to describe a noun by indicating that it possesses a moderate increase in width or scope. Ludwig confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

34%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "somewhat wider" is a versatile adjectival modifier used to indicate a moderate increase in width or scope. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly used in English. The phrase appears frequently in scientific and news-related contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When using "somewhat wider", it's important to ensure the context clearly defines the reference point for comparison and to avoid overstating the degree of difference. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "slightly broader" or "a bit wider" to maintain clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly broader

Indicates a minimal increase in breadth, focusing on the extent of something.

a bit wider

A more informal way to express a small increase in width.

marginally expanded

Suggests a slight increase in size or scope, often in a formal context.

moderately broader

Emphasizes a medium level of expansion.

somewhat broader

Alternative with equivalent meaning by using the adjective broader.

slightly more extensive

Focuses on the reach or scope of something, implying a small increase.

a shade wider

Emphasizes a very slight difference in width.

minimally wider

Highlights the small amount of difference.

fractionally wider

Suggests a minor increment in width.

relatively wider

Indicates something is wider compared to something else.

FAQs

How can I use "somewhat wider" in a sentence?

You can use "somewhat wider" to describe a moderate increase in width or scope. For instance, "The new lane is "somewhat wider" to accommodate buses".

What's the difference between "somewhat wider" and "slightly wider"?

"Slightly wider" indicates a smaller difference than ""somewhat wider"". The latter suggests a more noticeable, though still moderate, increase in width.

Which is correct, "somewhat wider" or "somewhat more wide"?

"Somewhat wider" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Somewhat more wide" is grammatically awkward and less frequently used.

What can I say instead of "somewhat wider"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly broader", "a bit wider", or "marginally expanded" depending on the context.