widen the gap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widen the gap" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where the space between two things, such as people, opinions, or economic resources, gets bigger. For example, you could say "The income disparities between the upper and lower classes have continued to widen the gap over the last decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The new guidelines will widen the gap.

The New York Times

Government policies also widen the gap.

The New Yorker

Or it actually could help to widen the gap.

Princeton University

This can widen the gap between the two of you.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But information technology has served to widen the gap considerably.

Harvard Business Review

But it would also widen the gap between Hamas's "inside" and "outside" leaderships.

The Economist

However, local government chiefs have warned that the change could widen the gap in care standards.

Independent

With so much at stake, the recriminations seemed to widen the gap between the parties.

The New York Times

All of this can widen the gap between men's and women's earnings.

The Guardian - Opinion

It says: "Grammar schools widen the gap between rich and poor".

The Guardian

Computers threaten to widen the gap between the rich and poor.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "widen the gap", ensure that the context clearly indicates what two things are being separated. For example, specify whether you're referring to an income gap, a skills gap, or a performance gap.

Common error

Avoid using "widen the gap" when the intention is to bridge or close a disparity. It's crucial to ensure that the action described accurately reflects the outcome of increasing separation, not decreasing it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widen the gap" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of increasing the distance or disparity between two or more things. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it often signifies a negative consequence, such as increasing inequality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "widen the gap" is a common verb phrase used to describe the increasing disparity between two entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and sees frequent usage across various contexts, most notably in News & Media. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the entities being separated, and be mindful of its tendency to carry a negative connotation. Alternatives like "increase the disparity" or "expand the divide" can offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broaden the gulf

Similar to "widen the gap", suggesting an expanding space between two points.

increase the disparity

Emphasizes the difference in status or condition.

expand the divide

Highlights the separation or disagreement between groups.

amplify the division

Implies that the separation has become much more obvious or powerful.

aggravate the difference

Focuses on making an existing difference worse.

exacerbate the inequality

Specifically addresses unequal distribution or opportunity.

magnify the contrast

Suggests making the distinction more noticeable.

intensify the separation

Highlights the strengthening of the act of keeping apart.

lengthen the distance

Implies a physical or metaphorical stretching of separation.

deepen the chasm

Conveys a sense of an emotional or ideological rift becoming more profound.

FAQs

How can I use "widen the gap" in a sentence?

You can use "widen the gap" to describe how policies or events increase differences, such as "Tax cuts for the wealthy can "widen the gap" between rich and poor".

What's an alternative to "widen the gap"?

Alternatives include "increase the disparity", "expand the divide", or "aggravate the difference", all suggesting a growing separation.

Is it correct to say "widen the gap between"?

Yes, "widen the gap" is often followed by "between" to specify the entities being separated, such as "widen the gap between generations".

What factors might "widen the gap" in education?

Factors include unequal funding, access to resources, and quality of teaching, all of which can "widen the gap" between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds.