widened over time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widened over time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual increase or expansion of something throughout a period. Example: "The scope of the project has widened over time, incorporating new technologies and methodologies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

In an earlier study, Chatman and her colleagues found that narcissistic CEOs also command significantly higher salaries, winning over boards with their confidence of success, and that the gap between narcissistic CEOs' compensation and those of their top management teams widened over time.

University of California, Berkeley

That discrepancy widened over time.

The New York Times

But the scope of this odd couple's shared interests widened over time.

The Economist

We have in every presidential election since 1980, and the gap has widened over time.

The Washington Post

But no research had systematically investigated whether these income-related achievement gaps have narrowed or widened over time.

Stanford University

Workers with college degrees have indeed, on average, done better than workers without, and the gap has generally widened over time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Young companies often share more information with their employees than bigger, older businesses; the gulf between management and the rank and file tends to widen over time.

The New York Times

And this gap could widen over time as the Hispanic vote grows, younger evangelicals prioritize other concerns and the Democratic party tilts to the left.

The Washington Post

Further, these differences tend to widen over time.

Forbes

City officials are grappling with a $1.3 million budget shortfall this coming fiscal year, which is only expected to widen over time as costs soar amid sluggish revenue growth.

Los Angeles Times

That piece later became my dystopian novel, Splinterlands, which spelled out in more detail how I imagined those fracture lines would widen over time until geopolitics became micro-politics and only the very smallest units of community were able to weather the global storm (including, of course, the literal storm of climate change).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "widened over time" to describe a gradual increase in scope, difference, or range. It is most effective when illustrating a trend or change that occurs continuously rather than abruptly.

Common error

Avoid using "widened over time" to describe something that changed abruptly or instantaneously. This phrase implies a gradual, continuous process, not an immediate shift.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widened over time" functions as a verb phrase accompanied by an adverbial phrase of time. It typically modifies a subject, indicating that something has increased or expanded in scope or magnitude gradually. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase indicates a trend of growing disparity or extent.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "widened over time" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a gradual increase or expansion. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in English. It is frequently found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. It describes trends of increasing gaps, differences, or scopes. While there are many alternative phrases, such as "increased gradually" or "expanded steadily", the best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to avoid using this phrase to describe sudden, abrupt changes. Its frequent occurrence in reputable sources like The New York Times, The Guardian and Forbes underscores its acceptance and reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expanded steadily

Focuses on the expansion or growth aspect, replacing "widened" with "expanded" and "over time" with "steadily".

grew progressively

Highlights gradual growth or development, replacing "widened" with "grew" and "over time" with "progressively".

increased in scope

Highlights the growth of overall scope or coverage, similar meaning.

increased gradually

Emphasizes a slow, steady increase rather than a broadening.

became more extensive

Replaces "widened" with "became more extensive" to emphasize scope or coverage.

developed incrementally

Focuses on step-by-step development rather than widening.

progressed steadily

Focuses more on consistent advancement, substituting the idea of widening for overall progress.

evolved gradually

Highlights the evolution or transformation aspect rather than just physical widening.

extended further

Focuses on the extent or reach, rather than the broadening itself.

matured over the years

Implies a process of maturation or development across a longer period, changing the verb to "matured" and adding specificity to the timeframe.

FAQs

How can I use "widened over time" in a sentence?

You can use "widened over time" to describe the gradual increase in a gap, difference, or scope. For example: "The income inequality has widened over time", or "The scope of the project widened over time".

What are some alternatives to "widened over time"?

Some alternatives include "increased gradually", "expanded steadily", or "grew progressively", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "widened over time" or "increased over time"?

Both "widened over time" and "increased over time" can be correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Widened over time" typically suggests an expansion or growing difference, while "increased over time" generally refers to a rise in quantity or amount.

What does "widened over time" imply about the change?

The phrase "widened over time" implies that the change occurred gradually and continuously over a period, rather than suddenly or at a specific point. It suggests a trend of increasing difference or expansion.