widen knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'widen knowledge' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to gaining a better understanding of something, usually through study or research. For example, "He is always looking for ways to widen his knowledge of history."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Journals wishing to widen knowledge of research news and organizations with important health announcements should target at least the four dominant media organizations identified in this study.

Plosone

There is a permanent need to evaluate and develop the ethical quality of scientific research and to widen knowledge about the effects of ethical issues.

BMC Medical Ethics

Except for Young age, the predictors have previously been insufficiently studied, and so our study should widen knowledge within clinical practice.

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We evaluate scenarios about bilaterian evolution on the basis of recent insights of animal phylogeny and widening knowledge about animal developmental diversity.

Zoologischer Anzeiger - A Journal of Comparative Zoology

These lessons can provide guidance to mental health systems as they strive to implement evidence-based employment practices and provide welfare entities with policy direction as a result of a widening knowledge base.

Cornell University

The results of the qualitative study are, to the best of our knowledge, the first attempt to widen our knowledge on how decisions about medicines are made in public hospitals of a middle income country like Chile.

BMC Health Services Research

The software will be a medium of transfer knowledge for Information Technology (IT) students and will widen their knowledge in electronic components.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Read a lot! Reading different types of literature can widen your knowledge, expand your artistic vocabulary and increase your knowledge.

WikiHow

"I wanted to study law but wanted to widen my knowledge as well," he says.

The Guardian

He gave her reading lists, urged her to think for herself and widen her knowledge by attending public lectures.

The Guardian - Books

From understanding brain functions to providing answers to the intriguing questions of evolution, biorobotics have helped biologists to widen their knowledge of the sphere.

Omics Technologies and Bio-Engineering Towards Improving Quality of Life

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "widen knowledge" when you want to emphasize the act of making your understanding broader or more comprehensive, often through deliberate effort like studying or researching.

Common error

Avoid using "widen knowledge" when you actually mean to "deepen understanding". "Widen" implies increasing the scope of knowledge, while "deepen" means achieving a more profound comprehension of existing knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widen knowledge" functions as a verb phrase where "widen" acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object (knowledge). It describes the action of making one's understanding or information base more extensive. Ludwig shows examples of this phrase used in various contexts to describe learning and expanding understanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

Academia

33%

News & Media

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "widen knowledge" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for describing the process of increasing one's understanding or information base. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally used in neutral to formal contexts, particularly within scientific, academic, and news-related content. While alternatives such as "expand understanding" or "broaden horizons" exist, "widen knowledge" distinctly emphasizes the act of making one's understanding broader. Avoid confusing it with "deepen understanding", which implies achieving a more profound comprehension. When aiming to express the goal of increasing the scope of what one knows, "widen knowledge" is a direct and suitable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Expand understanding

Focuses on comprehension rather than just accumulating facts.

Increase awareness

Emphasizes becoming more conscious or informed about a subject.

Deepen insight

Highlights achieving a more profound understanding.

Broaden horizons

Suggests expanding one's perspective beyond current limitations.

Enhance expertise

Implies improving skills and knowledge in a specific area.

Develop competence

Focuses on gaining proficiency through knowledge and skill.

Extend learning

Highlights continuing education and acquiring more knowledge.

Amplify comprehension

Emphasizes a greater and more thorough understanding.

Enlarge understanding

Stresses the expansion of one's comprehension.

Cultivate intellect

Suggests refining and developing intellectual abilities.

FAQs

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

You can use "widen knowledge" to describe the process of expanding one's understanding in a particular area. For example, "Reading extensively can help you "widen your knowledge" of history."

What are some alternatives to "widen knowledge"?

Alternatives include "expand understanding", "increase awareness", or "broaden horizons", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to "widen knowledge" or "deepen understanding"?

Neither is inherently better; they serve different purposes. "Widen knowledge" refers to increasing the breadth of information known, while "deepen insight" focuses on achieving a more profound comprehension of a specific subject.

Can "widen knowledge" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "widen knowledge" is appropriate for both formal and informal settings. However, in highly formal contexts, you might consider alternatives like "enhance expertise" or "develop competence".