widely used for

USAGE SUMMARY

"widely used for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that many people use for a particular purpose or task. For example, "The software is widely used for business functions such as invoicing and inventory tracking."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are not widely used for cattle, he said.

The New York Times

The dollar is widely used for oil trading.

The New York Times

The benchmark methods used here are widely used for classification.

Nature

Statins are drugs that are widely used for hyperlipidaemia.

Nature

Soft lithographic techniques are widely used for fundamental biological applications.

Stanford University

Camera networks are widely used for security and tracking.

University of California, Berkeley

Denuders are widely used for atmospheric analysis.

Analytica Chimica Acta

Polymers are widely used for food packaging.

Polymer Testing

The technology is widely used for growing papayas.

The Economist

Laser range finding is now widely used for remote sensing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Radar is also widely used for meteor detection and observation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "widely used for", ensure the context clearly defines what is being used and for what specific purpose to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "This software is widely used for data analysis" rather than simply "This is widely used."

Common error

Avoid using "widely used for" without providing specific context or examples, as this can weaken the statement's impact. Instead of saying "It is widely used for many things", specify what it is used for: "The framework is widely used for web development, mobile applications, and enterprise solutions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widely used for" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase. It describes a noun by indicating the extent and purpose of its use. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

19%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "widely used for" is a versatile expression used to describe something that is commonly employed for a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and its frequent appearance across various domains—including science, news, and academia—attests to its widespread acceptance. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: specify what exactly is "widely used for" to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "commonly used for" or "frequently used for" to add nuance. Remember, while "widely used for" indicates common usage, it doesn't necessarily imply popularity or effectiveness; context is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

popularly used for

This alternative replaces "widely" with "popularly", suggesting common usage based on popularity.

commonly used for

Replaces "widely" with "commonly", indicating general usage without necessarily implying popularity.

frequently used for

This alternative uses "frequently" instead of "widely", highlighting the high occurrence of use.

routinely used for

Replaces "widely" with "routinely", emphasizing the habitual or standard use in specific contexts.

extensively used for

This alternative changes "widely" to "extensively", focusing on the comprehensive or broad scope of use.

generally employed for

The wording is more formal, replacing "used" with "employed" and "widely" with "generally."

broadly applied for

This phrase uses "broadly applied" instead of "widely used", emphasizing the wide-ranging application.

in general use for

This alternative uses a different structure to convey the same meaning, focusing on the state of being in general use.

prevalent in the use of

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes that something is widespread in its application.

a common application for

Shifts the focus to the application itself, highlighting its commonality rather than the act of using.

FAQs

How can I use "widely used for" in a sentence?

Use "widely used for" to describe something that is commonly employed for a particular purpose. For example, "This method is "widely used for" data analysis".

What are some alternatives to "widely used for"?

You can use alternatives like "commonly used for", "frequently used for", or "generally employed for" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "widely used and popular"?

While "widely used" and "popular" share semantic overlap, using both can emphasize both the widespread adoption and the favorable reception of something. However, consider whether the added emphasis is necessary or if one term suffices.

What's the difference between "widely used for" and "well-known for"?

"Widely used for" emphasizes that something is actively employed by many people, while "well-known for" emphasizes its reputation or recognition. For instance, "This tool is "widely used for" data analysis", while "This author is well-known for her mystery novels".