widened to over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widened to over" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe an increase in size or scope, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "The road was widened to over two lanes to accommodate more traffic."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The publication noted that when its release widened to over 200 theatres the previous weekend its per-theatre average was so low that its distributor decided to cut its screens in the succeeding weeks.

Wikipedia

Now the gap has widened to over 100%.

The Economist

In the same 12-month period Poland's industrial production rose by 1.0%, and its trade deficit widened to over $14 billion.

The Economist

The disparity between the growth and value sectors has widened to over 1,000 basis points, an enormous chasm by historical comparison.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

America's current-account deficit is forecast to widen to over $800 billion this year, while Germany, Japan and China look set to run record surpluses.

The Economist

As you walk west, the beach widens to over a quarter-mile at the point, offering what Mr. Patton and Mr. Kent call "some of the best beach walking in south-central Connecticut".

The New York Times

In 2010 losses again widened to just over £5m.

The Guardian

Japan's trade surplus widened to $126.6 billion over the 12 months to April, the highest for more than four years.

The Economist

Israel's trade deficit widened to $6.6 billion over the same period; Hungary's rose to $2.3 billion in the year to March.In this section FINANCIAL MARKETS MUSIC ECONOMY Reprints.

The Economist

The search operation is now in its third day, with the area widened to cover 13 zones over land and sea.

BBC

Continuing a trend among Europe's less-creditworthy governments, the spread of Greek bonds widened to a new record over their German counterparts on Friday, signaling the growing expense for some countries of selling debt.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, replace "widened to over" with stronger, more direct alternatives such as "expanded beyond" or "increased to more than" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "widened to over" as it is not standard English. Using precise language improves clarity and readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widened to over" functions as a verbal phrase intended to describe the act of something expanding beyond a certain extent or quantity. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this is not considered correct English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "widened to over" is used to express an expansion beyond a certain limit. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect and suggests using alternatives like "expanded beyond" or "increased to more than". While examples exist in news and media contexts, it is best avoided in formal writing. To improve clarity, opt for more direct and grammatically sound alternatives to ensure your message is accurately conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expanded beyond

Focuses on exceeding a certain limit in size or scope.

increased beyond

Highlights the growth or escalation past a specified threshold.

grew larger than

Emphasizes the enlargement in size relative to a comparison point.

extended beyond

Suggests a broadening or outreach that surpasses a defined boundary.

stretched past

Implies a lengthening or elongation that goes beyond a given point.

surpassed an amount of

Highlights exceeding a specific numerical quantity.

outgrew a quantity of

Signifies growth to a point greater than the original amount.

advanced over

Implies progression or moving forward beyond a certain state or limit.

escalated to more than

Focuses on a sharp or rapid increase to exceed the prior value.

swelled above

Denotes an expansion in size, often suggesting a bulging or inflated quality.

FAQs

How can I correctly express the idea of something becoming larger than a specific amount?

Instead of "widened to over", you can use more precise phrases such as "increased to more than", "expanded beyond", or "grew larger than".

What is wrong with the phrase "widened to over"?

The phrase "widened to over" is grammatically awkward and not idiomatic in standard English. It's better to use more direct expressions like "expanded to more than" or "increased to over".

Is there a difference between "widened to over" and "expanded to over"?

While both attempt to convey growth, "expanded to over" is generally more accepted because it uses the verb "expanded" which is more appropriate in that context. "Widened to over" is not considered grammatically correct. Consider alternatives like "extended beyond".

In what contexts might I want to avoid using "widened to over"?

Because the phrase "widened to over" is not standard English, it is generally best to avoid it in all formal and professional contexts. Strive for clarity by using alternatives like "increased beyond" or "grew larger than".