widen horizons

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'widen horizons' is correct and usable in written English.
It is most commonly used as a motivational phrase to signify learning new facts or gaining new experiences. For example: An overseas exchange program was an opportunity for Maria to widen her horizons and explore a different culture.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Being around them really taught me not to judge students based on their background according to any standard benchmark, and that basic infrastructure providing access to information and educational opportunities could significantly widen horizons and be life-changing.

Duke University

For example, is corresponding with strangers on the Internet dangerous or does it widen horizons?

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

That insecurity has perhaps driven PBS to underestimate its audience's appetite for widened horizons.

The New York Times - Arts

In doing so, he reflected the rapidly widening horizons of a period that saw the founding of so many universities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

ValueAct's decision to invest in two venerable British engineering companies demonstrates the widening horizons of US activist investors.

The Guardian - Business

Thousands of Africans had joined the army, and some came back home with widened horizons, while their experiences of demobilization and discriminatory compensation fueled nationalist feeling.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Librarians, he added, "are the custodians of literacy – they lay the stepping stones that start the journey from one book to another, widening horizons and the reading experience".

The Guardian - Books

Adolescence is the time to prepare for understanding great responsibilities, a time for exploration and widening horizons, and a time to ensure healthy all round development.

Apollo Medicine

Such compromise with the pagan world, entailed by the widening horizons of the monarchy, violated the sanctity of the holy land of YHWH and turned the king into an idolator in the eyes of zealots.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Jane Robinson's charming social history is a story of widening horizons, lifelong friendships, evenings spent drinking cocoa and setting the world to rights—and, above all, the joy of learning for its own sake.

The Economist

Led by Pol de Mont, an already complex modern poet, the writers of the 1880s had, however, widened horizons and, by emphasizing individualism and "art for art's sake," prepared the ground for their successors.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "widen horizons" when you want to convey the idea of increasing one's knowledge, experience, or understanding through new opportunities or perspectives.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid using "widen horizons" in contexts that demand extreme formality. Opt for more specific and descriptive language instead, such as "expand their knowledge base" or "increase experiential learning opportunities".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "widen horizons" is as a verb phrase. It typically functions as an infinitive following another verb (e.g., 'to widen horizons') or in the imperative mood to express a desired action or goal.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "widen horizons" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase, though Ludwig AI considers it a rare phrase. It's primarily used to express the idea of expanding one's knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. While generally appropriate across various contexts, it may be best suited for neutral to professional settings, with alternatives like "expand horizons" or "broaden horizons" available for nuanced expression. Ludwig examples show this phrase is mostly used to encourage learning and personal growth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expand horizons

Synonymous, but "expand" focuses more on increasing scope or extent.

broaden horizons

"Broaden" emphasizes making something wider or more inclusive.

widen perspectives

Focuses specifically on expanding one's viewpoint or understanding.

expand one's outlook

Refers to improving or increasing your mindset and point of view.

increase knowledge

Highlights the aspect of gaining more information and understanding.

gain experience

Focuses on acquiring practical knowledge through involvement.

enrich understanding

Emphasizes deepening and improving comprehension.

open new doors

An idiomatic expression suggesting new opportunities arise.

break new ground

Suggests innovating or exploring previously uncharted areas.

extend one's reach

Focuses on increasing influence, scope, or impact.

FAQs

How can I use "widen horizons" in a sentence?

You can use "widen horizons" to describe experiences or opportunities that broaden one's knowledge or perspectives, such as "Traveling to different countries can "widen horizons" and foster cultural understanding".

What's a good alternative to "widen horizons"?

Alternatives to "widen horizons" include "expand horizons", "broaden horizons", or "widen perspectives". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "widen horizons" or "expand horizons"?

Both "widen horizons" and "expand horizons" are correct and commonly used. "Expand horizons" may emphasize increasing the scope, while "widen horizons" may focus on making understanding more comprehensive.

Can "widen horizons" refer to negative experiences?

While primarily used in a positive context to refer to new opportunities and insights, "widen horizons" could also describe experiences that are challenging but ultimately offer a broader understanding of the world.