widen the scope

USAGE SUMMARY

"widen the scope" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to expand or broaden the range or extent of something. For example, "We need to widen the scope of our research to include more perspectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The second step is to widen the scope of sustainability.

The Guardian

"They need to widen the scope and take advantage of the expertise we have in neuroscience.

The Guardian

It seems they've learned from their mistakes and are trying to widen the scope".

The Guardian

Draghi could also widen the scope of the bond purchases to include riskier asset classes.

The Guardian - Business

This would widen the scope of the premium and reduce the pain for many schools.

The Guardian

Story-wise, it's there to build the tension and widen the scope of the story.

The Guardian - Tech

Artistic director Madani Younis hopes to widen the scope of new writing.

The Guardian

So all we have done is to slightly widen the scope of that work.

The New York Times

Our proposed method will widen the scope of opportunity for interplanetary missions.

Acta Astronautica

What it did was widen the scope of their use, and leave exactly what implements constituted a "mechanical device" undefined.

The Guardian

Such relationships will widen the scope of accountability and involvement of all parties in a learning process.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "expand" or "broaden" for variety, but ensure they fit the specific context of your writing.

Common error

Avoid widening the scope so much that the central point becomes diluted or loses its impact. Keep a clear objective and ensure expansions remain relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widen the scope" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used as part of a verb phrase. It indicates an action of expanding or broadening the extent or range of something. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it frequently appears in contexts related to projects, discussions, or investigations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "widen the scope" is a versatile phrase used to convey the idea of expanding or broadening something. It's grammatically correct and commonly found in diverse contexts, especially news, science, and business. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage across various registers. To use it effectively, ensure clarity in what you are expanding and avoid excessive broadening that dilutes focus. Consider related phrases like "expand the boundaries" or "broaden the perspective" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expand the boundaries

This alternative shifts the focus to physical or metaphorical boundaries, rather than the overall area of consideration.

broaden the perspective

This alternative emphasizes expanding one's viewpoint or understanding.

extend the reach

This alternative emphasizes the distance or influence that something covers.

enlarge the area

This option focuses on a physical expansion rather than an abstract broadening.

amplify the impact

This option centers on increasing the effect or influence of something.

increase the scale

This option focuses on making something larger in terms of size or quantity.

deepen the understanding

This alternative aims for a more profound comprehension rather than a broader surface-level view.

inflate the size

This alternative suggests an increase in dimensions, often with a negative connotation of artificiality.

augment the dimensions

A more formal alternative indicating an increase in measurable aspects.

magnify the effect

This centers on enhancing the consequences or results of an action or event.

FAQs

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

You can use "widen the scope" to suggest expansion, as in: "The project needs to "widen the scope" to include international participants."

What are some alternatives to "widen the scope"?

Alternatives include phrases like "expand the boundaries", "broaden the perspective", or "extend the reach", each offering subtle differences in emphasis.

Is it better to "widen the scope" or "increase the scope"?

"Widen the scope" and "increase the scope" are largely interchangeable, but "widen" often implies broadening the range of consideration, while "increase" suggests making something quantitatively larger.

When is it appropriate to "widen the scope" of a project or discussion?

It's appropriate to "widen the scope" when new information becomes available, when the initial parameters are too restrictive, or when a more comprehensive understanding is needed. Ensure the expansion remains relevant to the core objective.