widened the scope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widened the scope" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the expansion or broadening of a particular area of focus, research, or project parameters. Example: "The new policy widened the scope of the initiative, allowing for greater community involvement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has widened the scope of the music we love.

Columbia University

Spurred on by their success, supermarkets have widened the scope to include more niche categories.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Obama Administration has also widened the scope of authorized drone attacks in Afghanistan.

The New Yorker

The expansion of the radiography profession in recent decades has widened the scope of radiographic practice.

Radiography

"I've come back because I want people to know we've widened the scope of our business," Ms. Bruce said.

The New York Times - Arts

This show proved enormously popular and widened the scope of the educational programming offered by the BBC.

Britannica

The discovery of new molecular targets through systems biology and other approaches has widened the scope for radiopharmaceutical development.

Clinical Oncology

As if egged on by her comments, Mr. McCain widened the scope of his criticisms today, accusing Vietnamese officials of only pretending to want to improve relations.

The New York Times

But Emanuel adamantly opposed a number of Holder's decisions, including one that widened the scope of a special counsel who had begun investigating the C.I.A.'s interrogation program.

The New Yorker

There is also the essential presence of Stephen Sondheim, who widened the scope of what songs — both lyrics and music — could make us feel.

The New Yorker

The Indian government widened the scope of industries that can accept foreign investment without a special license, as part of a broader effort to stimulate economic growth.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "widened the scope", ensure that the subject doing the widening is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify who or what "widened the scope" of a project or investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "widened the scope" in overly passive constructions. While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing vague. Instead of "The scope was widened by the committee", try "The committee widened the scope" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widened the scope" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of expanding or broadening the extent, range, or area of something. Ludwig provides several examples demonstrating its use in various contexts, such as investigations, research, and responsibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "widened the scope" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the act of expanding or broadening something. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase is prevalent across diverse domains, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in formal written English, this phrase's function to indicate expansion or inclusivity makes it a versatile tool for expressing growth and increased comprehensiveness. While alternatives like "expanded the range" or "broadened the focus" exist, "widened the scope" is a direct and effective way to express that a subject has been made more extensive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expanded the range

Focuses on the extent or variety that has been increased.

broadened the focus

Emphasizes the shift to include more elements in the area of attention.

extended the reach

Suggests an increase in influence or accessibility.

increased the coverage

Highlights the expansion of what is being addressed or included.

amplified the scope

Implies a boosting or magnifying effect on the breadth.

augmented the parameters

Specifically refers to expanding the boundaries or limits.

enhanced the spectrum

Focuses on enriching or improving the variety of elements included.

magnified the area

Implies making the extent or field larger.

inflated the magnitude

Suggests an increase in size or importance, sometimes hyperbolically.

stretched the boundaries

Highlights the act of extending or pushing limits further.

FAQs

What does "widened the scope" mean?

The phrase "widened the scope" means to expand or broaden the area, range, or extent of something, such as a project, investigation, or discussion. It implies making something more inclusive or comprehensive.

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

You can use "widened the scope" in a sentence to describe how something has become more extensive or inclusive. For example: "The investigation "widened the scope" to include financial irregularities."

What are some alternatives to "widened the scope"?

Alternatives to "widened the scope" include "expanded the range", "broadened the focus", or "extended the reach". The best alternative will depend on the specific context.

Is it better to say "increased the scope" or "widened the scope"?

"Increased the scope" and "widened the scope" are largely interchangeable and either can be appropriate. "Widened the scope" might subtly suggest a broadening in perspective or inclusivity, while "increased the scope" implies more sheer quantity.