wide area

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wide area" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a vast space or reach. For example: "The tornado caused extensive damage in a wide area of the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Wigwag's diaspora covered a wide area.

The New Yorker

Michif was spoken over a wide area.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The inn sprawls over a wide area.

The Guardian - Travel

Wigwag_'s_ diaspora covered a wide area.

The New Yorker

The mound builders lived over a wide area.

The New York Times - Travel

The quake lasted several minutes and shook a wide area.

The New York Times

Police cordoned off a wide area and trams were suspended.

The Guardian

The procedure is repeated at intervals over a wide area.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Birmingham is the cultural centre for a wide area.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A pandemic is an epidemic that is prevalent across a wide area.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

UUVs, even future generations, will not have the range or sensors to conduct wide-area search.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the scope of an event or situation, use "wide area" to convey that it affects a large geographical region or range of subjects. For instance, "The storm impacted a wide area, causing widespread power outages."

Common error

Avoid using "wide area" when you actually mean a specific location or district. "Wide area" emphasizes the breadth of impact or coverage, not a confined space. For example, instead of saying "The incident occurred in a wide area of downtown", specify the exact location or district.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wide area" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "wide" modifies the noun "area". It describes a region or space characterized by its extensive breadth or scope. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wide area" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a space, region, or scope characterized by its breadth. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is applicable in diverse contexts ranging from news and media to scientific discourse. While alternatives such as "vast area" or "extensive region" may be suitable depending on the nuance you wish to convey, "wide area" serves as a versatile and universally understood choice. Remember to use it when highlighting the expansive nature of a subject, and avoid substituting it for specific location references.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

width area

Rephrasing by substituting "wide" with its synonym "width" as an adjective.

great area

Changing "wide" to "great" emphasizes size and significance rather than simple breadth.

vast area

Replacing "wide" with "vast" suggests a very large and extensive space.

large area

Using "large" is a simpler and more direct way to indicate the size of the area.

broad area

Using "broad" instead of "wide" suggests extensiveness.

huge area

Replacing "wide" with "huge" emphasizes the immense size of the area.

widespread area

Using "widespread" emphasizes the distribution or prevalence across the area.

considerable area

Substituting "wide" with "considerable" suggests a notable or significant size.

wide zone

Switching "area" to "zone" implies a specific region or sector with defined boundaries.

extensive region

Using "extensive region" highlights the large scale and reach of the area in geographical terms.

FAQs

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

You can use "wide area" to describe something that covers or affects a large geographical space or a broad scope of subjects. For example, "The new policy will impact a "broad area" of the company's operations".

What are some alternatives to "wide area"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "vast region", "extensive zone", or "large scale".

Is it correct to say "wider area" instead of "wide area"?

While "wider area" is grammatically correct, it implies a comparative sense, suggesting an area that has increased in width or scope. "Wide area" is more commonly used to describe an area that is inherently broad or extensive without a specific comparison.

What's the difference between "wide area network" and "local area network"?

A "wide area network" (WAN) connects networks over a large geographical distance, while a "local area network" (LAN) connects computers within a limited area, such as a home, school, or office.