widened by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widened by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been made larger or more extensive by a particular factor or influence. Example: "The river was widened by the recent flooding, allowing for more water flow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The line can be rotated or widened by pinching.

The New York Times

Furman would be widened by cutting into the berm now shielding the park from the highway.

The New York Times - Arts

As the divisions in her party widened by the minute, the Maybot became ever less functional.

The Guardian

And, since the late nineteen-eighties, that price gap has widened by almost forty per cent.

The New Yorker

Hogan's lead over Jealous has widened by eight percentage points since the previous Post-U-Md.

The Washington Post

The commercial use of coated strip has been widened by two additional bath compositions.

Britannica

The country's global trade surplus widened by 21% to $60bn in December.

The Guardian - Business

Her lead in the race to capture the Democratic nomination widened by the day.

The Economist

In the early 2000s, they were widened by a few feet.

The New York Times

However, losses in the global brands division widened by almost 9% year on year to £7.4m.

The Guardian

The surplus with the United States widened by 12.6percentto to 640 billion yen.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "widened by" to clearly indicate the cause of an increase in physical dimensions or scope. For example, "The river was widened by the heavy rains."

Common error

Avoid using "widened by" when the change is not about physical dimensions or scope. For abstract increases, consider alternatives like "enhanced by" or "improved by" for better accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widened by" functions as a passive construction indicating that something has undergone an expansion or broadening as a result of an action or influence. Ludwig examples show how this phrase connects an object with the cause of its expansion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "widened by" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something has expanded due to a particular cause or influence. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is frequently found in news and scientific contexts, conveying information about tangible or intangible increases. When using this phrase, ensure that the context involves a genuine expansion in width or scope and that the cause is clearly identified. Alternatives like "expanded by" or "broadened by" can be considered for slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expanded by

Focuses on the increase in size or scope, similar to widened but can also refer to abstract concepts.

broadened by

Emphasizes the extension of range or understanding, implying a less physical alteration.

increased by

Highlights a numerical or measurable augmentation caused by a specific factor.

enlarged by

Stresses the act of making something physically bigger, quite similar to widened.

augmented by

Suggests an addition or enhancement that improves the original state.

extended by

Implies an increase in length or duration, but can be used metaphorically for scope as well.

enhanced by

Signifies an improvement in quality or desirability due to a specific cause.

magnified by

Emphasizes the increase in apparent size or importance, often used figuratively.

deepened by

Indicates an intensification or complexity added to something, shifting away from size.

reinforced by

Highlights the strengthening or support provided by a particular element.

FAQs

What does "widened by" mean?

The phrase "widened by" means that something has become broader or more extensive due to a particular cause or influence. It indicates the agent or factor responsible for the increase in width or scope.

How can I use "widened by" in a sentence?

You can use "widened by" to show how a specific factor has increased the breadth or scope of something. For example, "The road was "widened by" the construction crew", or "Her understanding was "broadened by" her experiences abroad".

What are some alternatives to "widened by"?

Alternatives to "widened by" include "expanded by", "broadened by", "increased by", or "enlarged by". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

When should I use "widened by" versus "increased by"?

"Widened by" is best used when referring to a physical expansion in width or scope, while "increased by" is more general and can refer to any kind of numerical or measurable augmentation. For example, "The river was "widened by" the floodwaters", but "The company's profits "increased by" 20%".