widely

USAGE SUMMARY

'widely' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is prevalent or present across a wide area or population. For example: The new law has been widely accepted by citizens in the region.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cameron will also set out plans to restrict foreigners from access to social housing if they have not been resident in the UK for five years, plans widely trailed over the weekend, as well as making it easier for the NHS to claim back the costs of treating people from overseas.

The Guardian

While widely shared, this was an assumption that made absolutely no sense in the case of subprime C.D.O.s.

The Economist

Back then, it was still widely supposed that every girl's dream was to marry a handsome prince and live happily ever after in a Tyrolean castle attended upon by mice and dressed each morning by bluebirds.

The Guardian - Film

Watching television and listening to the radio, I soon realised that here was a widely held sentiment: a visceral opposition to what one critic suggested we should literally call "the nanny state".

The Guardian - Opinion

The ground can only hold 11,700 people and it was widely expected work would begin to meet the need for rising ticket demand soon after their first promotion to the top flight.

The Guardian - Sport

Email: [email protected] David Marr journalist David is widely regarded as one of Australia's most influential commentators writing on subjects such as politics, censorship, the media and the arts.

The Guardian

Foreign diplomats were converging on Burma on Thursday, seeking to discuss the Asian migrant crisis which is widely believed to have its roots in the mass fleeing of the country's persecuted Rohingya minority.

The Guardian

A security forces officer from Russia's Chechnya region and four other men have been charged in connection with shooting Nemtsov on the Bolshoi Moskvoretsky Bridge near the Kremlin on 27 February, but investigators have failed to get those behind what is widely believed to be a contract killing.

The Guardian

In 2012, Tashkent – facing international pressure over its widely documented use of child labour to harvest its main cash crop – moved to take younger children out of the cotton fields.

The Guardian

1. Nine doctors have now given expert medical opinion that Warren Hill is "mentally retarded" – the official terminology still widely used in the US in legal parlance.

The Guardian

Like that of the Holocaust itself, the story of Terezín's music revealed itself only slowly over time – and was not widely known until Czech violinist Joza Karas published a book in 1985, Music in Terezín.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "widely" to emphasize the extent to which something is known, accepted, or distributed. It adds impact when describing the prevalence of an idea, practice, or phenomenon.

Common error

While "widely" is generally acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider using synonyms like "extensively", "broadly", or "generally" for variety.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "widely" primarily functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating the extent or degree to which something occurs, is known, or is accepted. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this function effectively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academic

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "widely" is a versatile adverb used to indicate that something is prevalent, extensive, or generally accepted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable word in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it's a valuable tool for conveying scope and scale. While generally acceptable, writers should avoid overuse by employing synonyms to maintain writing quality. Best practice involves leveraging "widely" to add impact by describing the extent of practices or ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commonly

Highlights the frequency and commonality of an occurrence or belief.

generally

Indicates that something is true or applicable in most cases, but not necessarily all.

broadly

Suggests a wide scope or generality in application or understanding.

extensively

Emphasizes the breadth and reach of something in terms of area or scope.

extensively

Emphasizes the broad scope or large degree to which something exists or occurs.

prevalently

Focuses on the widespread existence or occurrence of something.

largely

Suggests that something is primarily or mainly the case.

on a large scale

Suggests that something is happening or being done extensively or to a great extent.

ubiquitously

Emphasizes the presence of something everywhere or in many places.

universally

Indicates that something applies to everyone or everything without exception.

FAQs

How to use "widely" in a sentence?

"Widely" is an adverb that modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. For example, "The report was "widely read"" or "It is "widely believed" that...".

What can I say instead of "widely"?

You can use alternatives like "generally", "extensively", or "broadly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "widely used"?

Yes, "widely used" is a common and correct phrase. It indicates that something is used by many people or in many situations.

What's the difference between "widely" and "widely available"?

"Widely" refers to the extent of something, while "widely available" specifies that something is easily accessible or obtainable in many places.