steadily widening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "steadily widening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is gradually increasing in size, scope, or extent over time. Example: "The gap between the two communities has been steadily widening, leading to increased tensions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Xi says the opening is steadily widening.

The Washington Post

Today it stands at 37% public v 7% private, and the gap is steadily widening.

The Guardian - Opinion

She postponed informing the grandchildren and moved on to other relatives and close friends, steadily widening the circle.

The New York Times

Any bailout, though, will involve economic pain — including cuts in food and fuel subsidies to shrink Egypt's steadily widening budget deficit.

The New York Times

In 2014, the share of services in China's GDP was 48.2%, comfortably ahead of the 42.6% accounted for by manufacturing and construction, with the gap steadily widening.

The Guardian - Opinion

The state-controlled capitalism pushed by Chinese leaders has created an economic colossus, but at the cost of a steadily widening gap in both wealth and privilege between the rich and poor.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

And the gap has steadily widened.

The New York Times

And starting with his bedroom, the perspective steadily widens.

Stanford University

Inequalities in the distribution of wealth have steadily widened.

The New York Times

This dynamic steadily widened the gap between the two leaders.

The New York Times

As Perez's story continued to unfold, the circle of alleged wrongdoers steadily widened.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "steadily widening" to describe a gradual increase or expansion over time, particularly when emphasizing the continuous nature of the process. For example, "The company's market share is steadily widening."

Common error

Avoid using "steadily widening" to describe something that is already fully widened or has reached its maximum extent. The phrase implies an ongoing process, not a completed state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steadily widening" functions as a modifier, specifically an adverbial modifier, describing how an action (widening) is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig showcase its role in describing processes such as the expansion of a gap or circle.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

14%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "steadily widening" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes a gradual and continuous expansion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, to emphasize the ongoing nature of an increase or divergence. While alternatives like "gradually expanding" or "consistently increasing" exist, "steadily widening" effectively conveys the sense of a continuous and progressive process. When writing, remember to use this phrase to describe something that is in process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gradually expanding

Replaces "steadily" with "gradually", emphasizing the slow and continuous nature of the widening.

consistently increasing

Focuses on the consistent and upward trend of the widening, rather than the process itself.

progressively broadening

Emphasizes the forward progression of the widening process.

slowly diverging

Highlights the aspect of separation or moving apart over time.

continually extending

Focuses on the continuous increase in length or scope.

incrementally enlarging

Emphasizes the small, gradual increases that contribute to the widening.

ever-increasing

Stresses the ongoing and relentless nature of the increase.

unremittingly expanding

Highlights the constant and persistent expansion without pause.

uniformly growing

Focuses on consistent growth in all directions, implying a balanced expansion.

step-by-step widening

Highlights the iterative nature of the widening, occurring in distinct steps.

FAQs

How can I use "steadily widening" in a sentence?

Use "steadily widening" to describe a gap, difference, or some other measurable quantity that is increasing incrementally over time. For example, "The income inequality gap is "steadily widening"."

What's a good alternative to "steadily widening"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "gradually expanding", "consistently increasing", or "progressively broadening" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "steadily widen"?

While grammatically possible, "steadily widen" is less common and often sounds awkward. "Steadily widening" is the more idiomatic and frequently used form.

What does "steadily widening gap" mean?

A "steadily widening gap" refers to a disparity or difference between two things that is continuously increasing over time. This could apply to income, skills, or any other measurable metric.