to be widened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be widened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the need for something to be made larger or more expansive, often in a physical or metaphorical sense. Example: "The road is too narrow and needs to be widened to accommodate more traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Security perimeters need to be widened.

The New York Times

The window of meaning needs to be widened.

The New Yorker

Eventually, the highway is to be widened to six lanes.

The New York Times

Studios had to be widened and smartened up to withstand the camera's sharper eye.

The Economist

Hallways would have to be widened so two gurneys could pass through at the same time.

The Washington Post

Streets will have to be widened, shacks moved and sewers put in.

The Economist

These are currently restricted and strictly regulated, but their scope is soon to be widened.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gee has advocated for years that our definition of "literacy" needs to be widened to better suit the times.

The New York Times - Magazine

Support walls had to be widened and narrowed, and columns lengthened and shortened, to hold up each successive floor.

The New York Times

It may even have to be widened, thus taking away a portion of the Asphalt Green playing field.

The New York Times

However, it will stop short of backing Tory calls for the terms of reference to be widened.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be widened", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being expanded and why. For example, "The scope of the investigation needs to be widened to include all relevant parties."

Common error

Avoid using "to be widened" in contexts where a more precise verb like "expanded", "broadened", or "extended" would be more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be widened" functions primarily as part of a verb phrase in the passive voice. It indicates that a subject is the recipient of an action that increases its physical width or, metaphorically, its scope or extent. Ludwig examples show its use in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

21%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be widened" is a versatile verb phrase in the passive voice, commonly used to express the necessity for something to increase in size, scope, or extent. As Ludwig AI explains, it is considered grammatically correct and suitable for a wide array of contexts, particularly within News & Media. When incorporating "to be widened" in your writing, ensure clarity in what's being expanded and why. Be mindful of overuse in abstract contexts where more precise verbs could enhance impact. Remember that the phrase appears frequently, with high authority, making it useful for both technical and neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be expanded

Focuses on increasing the overall size or scope, often in a more abstract sense.

to be enlarged

Suggests making something physically bigger in size.

to be broadened

Implies extending the range or scope of something, often referring to knowledge or understanding.

to be extended

Focuses on increasing the length or duration.

to be augmented

Highlights the addition of something to improve or enhance the original.

to be increased

Simply indicates a rise in quantity or degree.

to be amplified

Suggests an increase in power or intensity.

to be deepened

Implies making something more profound or intense.

to be stretched

Focuses on extending something to its limit, often implying a strain.

to be unfolded

Suggests revealing or developing something gradually.

FAQs

How can I use "to be widened" in a sentence?

You can use "to be widened" to describe the expansion of physical spaces, like "The road is "to be widened" to accommodate more traffic". It can also refer to more abstract concepts, such as "The investigation's scope needs "to be widened" to include all relevant parties".

What are some alternatives to "to be widened"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to be expanded", "to be broadened", or "to be extended". The best choice depends on whether you're talking about physical size, range of knowledge, or duration.

Is it correct to say "needs to be widen" instead of "needs to be widened"?

No, "needs to be widen" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "needs "to be widened"". The passive voice requires the past participle form of the verb, which is "widened".

In what context is "to be broadened" a better choice than "to be widened"?

"To be broadened" is more suitable when discussing the expansion of knowledge, understanding, or scope of an idea or discussion. For example, "The curriculum needs to be broadened to include diverse perspectives" is better than using "widened" in this context. While ""to be widened"" refers to making something physically wider.