widening the gap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widening the gap" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where differences or disparities between two or more entities are increasing. Example: "The recent policy changes are widening the gap between the rich and the poor in our society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Elections, however, usually end up widening the gap.

The Economist

"In many African countries, natural resource revenues are widening the gap between rich and poor.

The Guardian

Even after all these years, we are still widening the gap in this way.

The Guardian

Widening the gap between your credit card limits and what you owe will pay off.

The New York Times

"It's hard to talk about healing when you are widening the gap," Mr. Teele said.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, higher oil prices are widening the gap between the nation's imports and exports.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The new guidelines will widen the gap.

The New York Times

Tonks widened the gap by three.

The Guardian - Sport

Government policies also widen the gap.

The New Yorker

Or it actually could help to widen the gap.

Princeton University

This can widen the gap between the two of you.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "widening the gap", ensure you clearly specify the entities or groups between which the gap is increasing to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming a single cause for "widening the gap". Disparities are often the result of multiple factors, and oversimplification can lead to inaccurate analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widening the gap" functions as a verb phrase acting as a gerund, typically serving as a noun in a sentence. It describes the ongoing process of an increasing disparity between two or more entities. Ludwig AI confirms this usage as grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "widening the gap" effectively describes the increasing disparity between two or more entities. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, especially in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business domains. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying the entities involved and avoid oversimplifying the underlying causes. Alternatives like "exacerbating the disparity" or "amplifying the divide" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exacerbating the disparity

Focuses on worsening an already existing inequality.

amplifying the divide

Emphasizes the increase in a division or separation.

increasing the distance

Highlights the growth of physical or metaphorical separation.

deepening the chasm

Implies making a significant rift or difference more profound.

expanding the gulf

Similar to "gap", but can suggest a larger, more significant difference.

magnifying the inequality

Stresses making an imbalance more noticeable.

extending the reach

Focuses on increasing influence or scope, somewhat related depending on the context.

growing the breach

Suggests an increasing break or violation of trust.

inflating the margin

Implies artificially increasing a lead or difference.

enhancing the contrast

Focuses on making differences more apparent or pronounced.

FAQs

How can "widening the gap" be used in a sentence?

You can use "widening the gap" to describe an increasing disparity between two or more groups or things. For instance, "The new economic policies are "widening the gap" between the rich and the poor".

What are some alternatives to saying "widening the gap"?

Alternatives include "exacerbating the disparity", "amplifying the divide", or "increasing the distance", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "widen the gap" instead of "widening the gap"?

While both can be grammatically correct, "widening the gap" typically refers to an ongoing process, whereas "widen the gap" is more of an instruction or suggestion to make the gap bigger.

What's the difference between "widening the gap" and "closing the gap"?

"Widening the gap" refers to an increasing disparity, while "closing the gap" indicates efforts to reduce or eliminate a difference between two groups or things.