the wider of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the wider of" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to compare two things, but it lacks context and clarity. Example: "In the competition, the wider of the two rivers was more challenging to navigate."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But he has also developed into an eloquent spokesman on the wider of issues in football.

Independent

Otherwise England spent the first half making Rooney, or at least the wider of the Wayne Supremacy, look good.

The Guardian - Sport

"Who's to say we both might not play in the next game?" He landed arguably the biggest blow when he had Shivnarine Chanderpaul, advancing down the pitch, taken at the wider of two short covers for 46.

BBC

(1), (6), (8) and (10), one of the two dimensions of the cross-section must be defined as the wider of the two dimensions because they assume that w ≥ t.

Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering

However, before using these equations, one of the two dimensions (i.e., the thickness and the width) of the cross-section must be defined as the wider of the two dimensions [17].

Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering

In a one dimensional spatial model, and in the absence of noise, it is known that pairs of bumps exist for some sufficiently low value of a constant threshold and that only the wider of the two is stable [21].

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Some of my favorites from early in the book: They're the wide of my hand.

The New Yorker

Wilson, particularly, left the stadium with the widest of smiles after demonstrating his scoring ability.

The Guardian - Sport

On the Columbia, it was the widest of the panels and was not supported in the middle.

The New York Times

Some speak to their students; most aim for the widest of audiences.

The New York Times

But fashion -- in particular, Oscar de la Renta -- can bridge the widest of gaps.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure context supports comparative meaning. If referring to physical width, consider alternatives like "the wider section" or "the wider area" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "the wider of" when a clearer comparative form is available. This phrase is often perceived as grammatically awkward. Instead, use "the larger of" or rephrase the sentence to improve readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the wider of" attempts to function as a comparative determiner, aiming to specify one item from a set of two based on their relative width. However, Ludwig indicates that its structure is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The examples demonstrate usage in comparing dimensions or scope, but clearer alternatives are recommended.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "the wider of" appears in various contexts, Ludwig's analysis indicates that it is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. More precise and widely accepted alternatives, such as "the larger of" or "the broader of", are generally recommended for improved clarity. It's crucial to consider the specific context and audience when choosing the most appropriate phrasing. Although examples can be found across different sources, including news, science and encyclopedias, adhering to standard grammatical conventions ensures clearer and more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the larger of

Replaces "wider" with "larger", maintaining the comparative meaning related to size.

the broader of

Substitutes "wider" with "broader", emphasizing extent or scope rather than physical width.

the bigger of

Replaces "wider" with "bigger", a more informal synonym for size.

the greater of

Uses "greater" to indicate a comparison in magnitude or importance, not specifically width.

the more extensive of

Emphasizes the degree to which something covers a large area or scope.

the more spacious of

Focuses on the amount of available space, offering a slightly different nuance.

the more massive of

Highlights the substantial size or scale, differing slightly from width alone.

the more expanded of

Emphasizes the state of being enlarged or spread out.

the more comprehensive of

Shifts the focus to completeness and inclusiveness rather than physical dimensions.

the amplified of

This alternative is used when referring to a boost in the extent of something in a non-physical manner.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "the wider of"?

Alternatives such as "the larger of" or "the broader of" are generally preferred for clarity and grammatical correctness. The specific choice depends on the context.

In what contexts might I see "the wider of" used?

While not strictly correct, "the wider of" may occasionally appear in informal writing or technical contexts where a direct comparison of width is intended, although clearer alternatives exist. Ludwig states that "the wider of" is not correct.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "the wider of" to improve its clarity?

Rephrasing often involves using a more precise adjective or restructuring the sentence. For instance, instead of "the wider of the two paths", use "the wider path" or "the larger of the two paths".

Is there a difference in meaning between "the wider of" and "the widest of"?

"The widest of" typically refers to the superlative, indicating the greatest width among several options, while "the wider of" attempts a comparison between two items. However, "the wider of" is not standard usage; "the larger of" is preferred.