was broadened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was broadened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been expanded or made wider in scope or range in the past. Example: "The curriculum was broadened to include more diverse subjects and perspectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His vision was broadened by numerous political and civic involvements.

The New York Times

It is where my love of the countryside was broadened.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

During the 1990s the inner circle was broadened, she says.

The Economist

In subsequent decades the field was broadened to encompass preventive aspects and environmental health surveillance (biomonitoring).

Britannica

The interpretation of his work, however, was broadened in the 20th century.

Britannica

The act was broadened in 1864 to include photographs, which is where stamp collectors come in.

The New York Times - Style

But within a couple of years, he said, it was broadened significantly.

The Washington Post

The investigation was broadened to include insurance fraud and other crimes.

The New York Times

The tax base was broadened and rates were lowered, but the overall tax burden remained unchanged.

The Economist

The credit was broadened and extended in November, and potential buyers lost their sense of urgency.

The New York Times

The policy was broadened in November to include lawsuits filed against members of the Police Department.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was broadened", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being expanded or made more inclusive. For instance, "The investigation "was broadened" to include new evidence" clarifies the scope of the expansion.

Common error

Avoid using "was broadened" with a plural subject. For example, instead of "The topics was broadened", use "The topics were broadened" to maintain subject-verb agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was broadened" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence underwent an action that expanded its scope or range. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

7%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was broadened" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It signifies the expansion of something's scope or range and is commonly found in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts. While versatile, it's important to ensure subject-verb agreement and clarity in sentence construction. Alternative phrases such as "was expanded" or "was extended" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to contextualize what "was broadened" refers to for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was expanded

Replaces "broadened" with "expanded", focusing on the act of increasing in size or scope.

was extended

Substitutes "broadened" with "extended", emphasizing the act of increasing the duration or reach of something.

was widened

Replaces "broadened" with "widened", highlighting the act of making something physically or conceptually wider.

was enlarged

Uses "enlarged" instead of "broadened", stressing the act of making something larger in size or extent.

was amplified

Replaces "broadened" with "amplified", suggesting an increase in intensity, strength, or clarity.

was augmented

Substitutes "broadened" with "augmented", implying an addition or enhancement to something.

was enhanced

Uses "enhanced" instead of "broadened", focusing on improvement in quality or value.

was developed

Replaces "broadened" with "developed", indicating a gradual growth or advancement.

was increased

Substitutes "broadened" with "increased", emphasizing a rise in quantity, size, or degree.

was diversified

Uses "diversified" instead of "broadened", highlighting the act of making something more varied or diverse.

FAQs

How can I use "was broadened" in a sentence?

The phrase "was broadened" is used to indicate that something has been expanded or made wider in scope. For example, "The curriculum "was broadened" to include more diverse subjects".

What are some alternatives to "was broadened"?

You can use alternatives like "was expanded", "was extended", or "was widened" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "has been broadened" instead of "was broadened"?

Yes, both phrases are grammatically correct, but they indicate different tenses. "Was broadened" indicates a past action, while "has been broadened" indicates an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present.

What's the difference between "was broadened" and "became broader"?

"Was broadened" suggests an external force or action caused the expansion, whereas "became broader" implies a natural or internal development. For example, "The definition "was broadened" by the committee" versus "The definition "became broader" over time".