to be broadening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be broadening" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of expanding or increasing in scope, but the construction is awkward and not commonly used. Example: "The company's efforts are aimed at broadening its market reach."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Today Mr. Putin seemed to be broadening his threats.

The New York Times

Now I.B.M. and Sun appear to be broadening their strategy.

The New York Times

NASA also appears to be broadening its rocket choices.

The New York Times

Macy seems to be broadening the definition of who's spoiled, warmly including most of her readers.

The New York Times - Books

That displeasure now appears to be broadening to include even mainstream investors like the Sequoia Fund.

The New York Times

WMCA is now WABC's nearest New Sound rival, and seems to be broadening its New Sound listenership.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"It needs to be broadened," he said.

The New York Times

This fight needs to be broadened.

The Guardian

We are calling for it to be broadened to men".

The New York Times - Health

He can decide when esthetic boundaries need to be broadened.

The New York Times - Magazine

Data protocols need to be broadened and standardized.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider substituting "to be broadening" with more common alternatives such as "to be expanding" or "to be widening". These alternatives are generally clearer and more widely accepted in standard written English.

Common error

Avoid using "to be broadening" in formal writing. It can sound unnatural; using a simpler verb like "expand" or "widen" often creates a more polished and professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be broadening" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used as part of a verb construction to indicate an ongoing process of expansion or increase in scope. However, Ludwig AI notes its awkwardness, and other options might be better.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "to be broadening" appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media, it's not considered the most grammatically sound or stylistically elegant choice. Ludwig AI highlights its awkwardness, suggesting clearer alternatives such as "to be expanding" or "to be widening". Although relatively common in usage, especially given the multiple examples, opting for more standard alternatives enhances clarity and professionalism in writing. Ludwig's analysis suggests considering the context carefully and choosing alternatives that more precisely convey the intended meaning of expansion or increase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be expanding

Replaces "broadening" with "expanding", suggesting a similar concept of increasing in size or scope, but with a slightly different connotation.

to be widening

Substitutes "broadening" with "widening", implying an increase in width or scope. It maintains a close semantic equivalence but focuses more on physical or conceptual widening.

to be extending

Uses "extending" instead of "broadening", suggesting a lengthening or reaching out further. This implies a different kind of growth, focused on reach rather than overall scope.

to be increasing

Replaces "broadening" with "increasing", which is a more general term for making something larger or more numerous.

to be amplifying

Employs "amplifying" instead of "broadening", indicating an increase in intensity or effect, rather than just scope.

to be escalating

Replaces "broadening" with "escalating", which suggests a rapid increase or intensification, often in a negative context like conflict or problems.

to be magnifying

Substitutes "broadening" with "magnifying", which implies making something appear larger or more significant, often through closer examination or emphasis.

to be developing

Replaces "broadening" with "developing", suggesting a gradual growth or evolution over time.

to be unfolding

Uses "unfolding" instead of "broadening", which implies a gradual revelation or development, like a story or plan.

to be evolving

Employs "evolving" instead of "broadening", indicating a gradual change and development over time, often in response to external factors.

FAQs

What does "to be broadening" mean?

The phrase "to be broadening" generally suggests something is in the process of expanding or increasing in scope. However, it's not a standard phrase in English and can sound awkward. It's often better to use alternatives like "to be expanding" or "to be widening".

Is "to be broadening" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "to be broadening" is not a standard or commonly used phrase in English. Ludwig AI suggests it's best to use more common and clear alternatives. Using "to be expanding" is preferable.

What can I say instead of "to be broadening"?

You can use alternatives like "to be expanding", "to be widening", or "to be extending" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "to be broadening" or "to broaden"?

While "to be broadening" implies a continuous action of becoming broader, "to broaden" is a more standard and direct way to express the action of making something broader. It's generally more concise and grammatically preferred.