well wide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "well wide" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is significantly wide or to emphasize the extent of width in a particular context. Example: "The river was well wide, making it impossible to cross without a bridge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well wide.

The Guardian - Sport

It flies well wide.

The Guardian - Sport

The kick is well wide.

The Guardian - Sport

He slices well, well wide.

The Guardian - Sport

He skewed it well wide.

The Guardian - Sport

Fellaini glances a header well wide.

The Guardian - Sport

He's slung that backhand well wide.

The Guardian - Sport

He screws his shot well wide.

The Guardian - Sport

It was blazed well wide though.

The Guardian - Sport

Tulio heads it well wide left.

The Guardian - Sport

He screws his shot well wide though.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "well wide" to describe a significant deviation, especially in sports contexts when something misses the target by a considerable distance. For example, "The shot went well wide of the goal."

Common error

While "well wide" is acceptable, it can sound informal in academic or formal writing. Opt for more precise language, such as "significantly off target" or "considerably divergent", to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well wide" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It emphasizes the degree to which something is wide or deviates from a specific point, as seen in Ludwig's examples where shots or attempts miss their target.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "well wide" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that describes something deviating significantly from a target or being extensively wide. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and common usage, particularly within news and media, and specifically in sports contexts. While versatile, the phrase's formality leans towards neutral. For formal documents, writers might want to consider alternatives such as "significantly off target" to maintain an academic or business-appropriate tone. Understanding such nuances helps ensure clear, contextually appropriate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly off target

Emphasizes the extent of missing the target or intended point.

considerably off course

Highlights the degree of deviation from a planned route or direction.

far from the mark

Indicates a substantial inaccuracy or failure to achieve a goal.

a good distance away

Focuses on the measurement of separation from a specific location.

noticeably divergent

Stresses the evident difference and separation.

way off

A more informal way of expressing something missing by a large amount.

distinctly out of bounds

Highlights something being clearly beyond acceptable limits.

widely inaccurate

Focuses on the large degree of error or incorrectness.

substantially misaligned

Emphasizes the significant degree of incorrect alignment.

considerably off-center

Highlights the degree of deviation from the central point.

FAQs

How can I use "well wide" in a sentence?

You can use "well wide" to describe something that misses a target by a significant margin, like in sports. For example, "The football sailed well wide of the goalposts."

What are some alternatives to saying "well wide"?

Alternatives include "significantly off target", "considerably off course", or "far from the mark", depending on the context.

Is "well wide" a formal or informal expression?

"Well wide" is generally considered a neutral to slightly informal expression, commonly used in sports commentary and general news reporting. For more formal contexts, consider more precise alternatives.

When should I use "well wide" instead of "wide"?

Use "well wide" when you want to emphasize the extent to which something is wide or misses the target. It indicates a greater degree of deviation compared to simply saying "wide".