wide about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wide about" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It is unclear in meaning without additional context, making it difficult to determine when it could be appropriately used. Example: "The river was wide about the bend, making it difficult to cross."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Each groove will be about 50 microns wide, about the width of a human hair.

The New York Times

The rink was 110 yards long and 60 yards wide, about the size of a soccer field.

The New York Times - Sports

International hockey is normally played on a larger sheet of ice, 200 feet long by 100 feet wide (about 60 meters long by 30 meters wide); an N.H.L. rink is only 85 feet wide (about 26 meters).

The New York Times

CONS: The upper level is 8 feet 2 inches wide, about three feet narrower than the bedroom.

The New York Times

And it will open your eyes wide about Donald J Trump and what we all have to fear from him.

The Guardian - Books

The new Blade is small, not quite 14 inches wide, about 9 inches deep and only two-thirds of an inch thick, weighing four pounds.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"There's a big debate internally as well as industry-wide about whether mobile presents a different dating experience or the same experience, just on mobile," he says.

Forbes

Lake Ellsworth is about 10km long and 2-3km wide - about the same size as Lake Windermere, England's biggest.

BBC

This one was low and wide -- about 12 feet tall and 30 feet wide -- with snaking branches.

The New York Times

In February, G.M. added glass beads 8 microns wide -- about a tenth of the diameter of a human hair -- to its approved pigment list, said David E. Burnett, president and co-founder of Prizmalite Industries, which supplies beads of glass -- new, not recycled -- to paint makers.

The New York Times

And they've spiraled in so close that they orbit each other every 5.4 minutes and occupy a space only about 100,000 kilometers wide about a quarter the distance between Earth and the Moon.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "wide about" in formal writing. It is not a standard English construction and may confuse readers. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives like "broadly speaking" or rephrase the sentence for better clarity.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "wide about" when intending to express the breadth or scope of a topic. This is often grammatically incorrect. Instead, consider using "wide range of" or "broadly concerning" to convey the intended meaning more accurately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wide about" does not have a clear grammatical function in standard English. It appears to be an attempt to combine an adjective describing breadth with a preposition, but it lacks established usage and often results in unclear or incorrect sentences. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is questionable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wide about" is not a standard or grammatically sound construction in English. Its intended meaning often revolves around indicating the scope or breadth of a topic, but it fails to do so effectively and can lead to confusion. As Ludwig AI points out, its usage is questionable, and it's best to avoid it in formal writing. Instead, consider using clearer alternatives like "broadly speaking", "generally about", or rephrasing the sentence entirely to ensure clarity and correctness. Given its grammatical issues and lack of established usage, it is best to steer clear of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broadly speaking

Replaces "wide" with "broadly" focusing on general statements.

generally about

Emphasizes general relevance or scope, replacing spatial width.

comprehensively on

Stresses the completeness of information available.

extensively on

Focuses on thoroughness of coverage rather than physical width.

widely regarding

Focuses on widespread opinions or information about something.

at large regarding

Highlights the broader scope of a topic, differing significantly from spatial width.

all over regarding

Expresses distribution or spread rather than literal width.

everywhere you look

Conveys ubiquity or commonness, moving away from width.

throughout everything regarding

Highlights pervasiveness or all-encompassing nature.

concerning globally

Focuses on global relevance, moving further from the original phrase's potential meaning.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "wide about" for better clarity?

Consider using alternatives like "broadly speaking", "generally about", or "widely regarding" depending on the context. The best choice depends on whether you're emphasizing a general statement, the scope of a topic, or widespread opinion.

Is "wide about" grammatically correct?

The phrase "wide about" is not a standard English construction and is often considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use more conventional phrases to ensure clarity and correctness.

What's the difference between "wide range of" and "wide about"?

"Wide range of" indicates variety or diversity, whereas "wide about" is not a recognized idiomatic phrase. For instance, "a "wide range of" topics" means many different topics, while "wide about" is not grammatically sound.

When can I use "wide" correctly in a sentence?

You can use "wide" to describe physical dimensions (e.g., "a wide river"), the extent of something (e.g., "a "wide range of" opinions"), or general scope (e.g., "thinking "widely about" solutions"). However, avoid using "wide about" as a direct substitute for prepositions like "regarding" or "concerning."