widening the base

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widening the base" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express the idea of expanding a foundation or increasing the number of participants or elements in a particular group or system. Example: "The organization is focused on widening the base of its supporters to include more diverse voices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Politics for me is about always widening the base.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It would be about radically widening the base of the economy, nurturing small businesses again, building on the success of hi-tech green engineering, pharmaceuticals and design, and trying to escape the stranglehold of City banking on the country's politics, and even its imagination.

The Guardian - Opinion

Similarly, while the OECD did call for a cut to the company tax rate it recommended this be done "as part of a wider reform that would also consider raising the currently low rate of goods and services tax (GST) and/or widening the base".

The Guardian - Business

Now, Xiaomi is widening the base for the mobile payment service that could be an important part of Mi Wallet.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"We need time to build the audience, widen the base," says Sizer.

The Guardian - Music

To do so would overturn delicate negotiations in which Shays-Meehan was altered to widen the base of support without watering down the basic protections in the bill.

The New York Times

A report by the UN Development Programme in 2000 showed that women's employment, once the highest in the region, fell from 23% before 1991 to 10% in 1997.The emancipation of women had been central to the Baath Party in its drive to widen the base of its support.

The Economist

October 26, 1873 Copenhagen, Denmark May 3 , 1942Copenhagen, Denmark Thorvald Stauning, (born Oct. 26, 1873, Copenhagen, Den. died May 3 , 1942 Copenhagen) Danish Social Democratic statesman who as prime minister (1924 26, 1929 42) widened the base of his party by gaining passage of key economic and social welfare legislation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Political parties "need to widen the base" of their support but cannot "turn to the taxpayer" and expect state funding, said Conservative Patrick McLoughlin.

BBC

"You'd imagine it would be in their interests to widen the base of who can actually set up a campaign".

BBC

The deposited volume widens the base of the 99mTc-MAG3 peak but no influence on RCP interpretation is observed as the peaks are well separated and there is no risk of wrong attribution of components (fig. 4).

EJNMMI Radiopharmacy and Chemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "widening the base", ensure the context clearly defines what "base" refers to – whether it's a customer base, a support base, or a knowledge base. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "widening the base" without clearly specifying what base you are referring to. A vague reference can confuse readers. Always clarify the type of base being expanded to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widening the base" functions as a verbal phrase often used as part of a clause expressing an action aimed at increasing the breadth or scope of something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "widening the base" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe expansion or growth, particularly in contexts involving support, participation, or influence. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. Although relatively uncommon, it appears across various reputable sources like The Guardian and The Economist, suggesting its acceptance in formal and neutral registers. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly define what "base" refers to in order to avoid ambiguity. Synonyms such as "broadening the scope" or "expanding the foundation" can also be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broadening the scope

Changes the term "base" to "scope", suggesting a widening of the area or range covered.

expanding the foundation

Replaces "base" with "foundation", emphasizing the enlargement of the underlying structure or support.

increasing the reach

Focuses on extending the influence or impact rather than the foundational aspect.

extending the support

Highlights the expansion of assistance or endorsement.

growing the audience

Specifically refers to increasing the number of spectators or listeners.

enlarging the customer base

Specifically refers to increasing the number of customers.

developing the network

Focuses on expanding a connected group or system.

deepening the understanding

Shifts the focus to enhancing comprehension or knowledge.

amplifying the effect

Emphasizes increasing the magnitude or intensity of an outcome.

diversifying the portfolio

Indicates increasing variety within a collection of investments or assets.

FAQs

How can I use "widening the base" in a sentence?

You can use "widening the base" to describe expanding the number of supporters, customers, or participants involved in a particular activity or organization. For example, "The company aims at "enlarging the customer base" to increase revenue".

What does "widening the base" mean in a political context?

In politics, "widening the base" typically refers to expanding a political party's support to include a broader range of voters or demographics. It involves reaching out to different groups to gain more widespread support and increase electoral success. "Increasing the reach" is also a way to express it.

What are some synonyms for "widening the base"?

Synonyms for "widening the base" include "broadening the scope", "expanding the foundation", and "increasing the reach". The choice depends on the specific context in which you are using the phrase.

Is it better to say "widening the base" or "expanding the base"?

Both "widening the base" and "expanding the base" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or the specific nuance you want to convey. "Expanding the foundation" is another way to express it.