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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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wide by

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wide by" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe dimensions or measurements, but it lacks context to be usable. Example: "The table is 4 feet wide by 6 feet long."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

-From "Carried Wide," by Mike Fagan.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Cut into fingers 3cm wide by 10cm long.

It's deflected wide by Holgersson and DC have another corner.

The lamps are 2.9 inches wide by 4.9 inches high.

News & Media

The New York Times

To begin with the display is only 2 inches wide by 2 1/2 inches high.

All the other seats in Woolsey measure 18 inches wide by 17 inches deep.

News & Media

The New York Times

A SOCCER goal is an inviting 8 yards wide by 8 feet high.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The program is expected to expand system-wide by fall.

News & Media

The New York Times

The IHT data were collected Germany-wide by different investigators.

The fact that this bar is screen-wide by default does seem a bit odd.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Patient recruitment was performed Germany-wide by 16 allergy specialist offices in the ambulatory setting.

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing dimensions, always clarify what each measurement represents (e.g., "The room is 10 feet wide and 12 feet long").

Common error

Avoid using ambiguous language like "wide by" without specifying units. Always provide the unit of measurement (e.g., inches, feet, meters) to ensure clarity.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

3.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wide by" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase used to describe dimensions. It often appears in contexts where the length and width of an object or space are specified. However, Ludwig AI highlights that this construction lacks precision and could be misinterpreted if used without proper context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

23%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wide by" is frequently used to describe the dimensions of objects, but Ludwig AI indicates that its grammatical correctness and clarity can be improved. While the phrase appears across different contexts such as news, science, and wiki articles, more precise alternatives include phrases like "measuring" or explicitly stating each dimension (e.g., "The screen is 10 inches wide and 6 inches high"). When using "wide by", ensure that the units of measurement are specified to avoid ambiguity.

FAQs

How to properly describe dimensions instead of using "wide by"?

Instead of "wide by", specify the length and width using clear units, such as "The screen is 10 inches wide and 6 inches high", or "The screen measures 10 inches in width and 6 inches in height".

What are some alternatives to "wide by" when describing dimensions?

Use clearer phrases like "measuring", or "with dimensions of". For example, instead of "The box is 10cm wide by 5cm deep", you can say "The box is measuring 10cm in width and 5cm in depth".

Is it grammatically correct to use "wide by" when describing sizes?

While commonly used, "wide by" is not always grammatically precise. Clearer alternatives include specifying each dimension explicitly, such as "The room is 10 feet wide and 12 feet long".

How does the context influence the choice of words when describing dimensions with "wide by"?

In technical contexts, be precise with measurement units. In casual contexts, approximations may suffice but always clarify the dimensions. Consider alternatives like "with a width of" for more formal descriptions.

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Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

3.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: