widening the scope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widening the scope" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the expansion of a topic, project, or area of focus to include more elements or perspectives. Example: "The committee is considering widening the scope of the research to include additional demographics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The organisers say widening the scope of the prizes is probably unaffordable.

The Guardian - Books

Here that group is enlarged by the trumpeter Ralph Alessi and the saxophonist Tony Malaby, widening the scope of expression.

The New York Times

By widening the scope of the study of the rebellion, he has created a template for future historians.

The Guardian - Books

Whether it's made in isolation deep in the mountains or in a supportive urban center, this work is finally widening the scope of the public perception of art.

University of California, Berkeley

It does this through widening the scope of the Alliance for Historical Dialogue and Accountability (AHDA), a program of the ISHR to the region.

Columbia University

With the theme "Transnational Migration from the Global Perspective," the conference focused on the Chinese diaspora, while widening the scope to include different migrant groups.

Cornell University

It came at a time when the government was experimenting with other forms of liberalisation, such as widening the scope for private business and easing travel restrictions.

The Guardian

Priscilla Campbell, who heads up the hotel practice for American Express, said that more businesses were widening the scope of hotel classes they use.

The New York Times

Verdict: Tony Hall has moved to open up the BBC's schedules to independents, while widening the scope of the corporation's own in-house production.

The Guardian

He was the source of inspiration for the creation of works for the left hand, widening the scope of piano repertory.

The New York Times - Arts

This new legislation bolsters, albeit slightly, equal pay provisions allowing for gender pay reporting and widening the scope of protected disclosures.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "widening the scope", clearly define what is being expanded. For instance, instead of saying "We are widening the scope", specify "We are widening the scope of the project to include international markets".

Common error

Avoid using "widening the scope" without providing specific details about the changes. For example, saying "The company is widening the scope" without mentioning which activities or regions are affected leaves the statement vague and unactionable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widening the scope" functions as a gerund phrase often used as a noun, indicating the action of expanding something. Ludwig AI shows that it is frequently employed to describe the process of increasing the range or extent of a project, study, or area of focus.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "widening the scope" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe the expansion of something, whether it's a project, a study, or an area of focus. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, including academia, news media, and science. While alternatives like "expanding the range" or "broadening the focus" exist, "widening the scope" remains a versatile and widely accepted choice. To ensure clarity, it is best practice to specify what exactly is being widened and to avoid overly general statements. Its neutral to professional register makes it suitable for a range of communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expanding the purview

Changes the noun from "scope" to "purview", emphasizing the range of authority or concern.

broadening the spectrum

Replaces "scope" with "spectrum", suggesting a widening of the range of possibilities or opinions.

enlarging the extent

Substitutes "widening" with "enlarging" and "scope" with "extent", focusing on the physical or conceptual size.

increasing the reach

Uses "reach" instead of "scope", highlighting the ability to affect or influence a larger area or audience.

extending the boundaries

Replaces "scope" with "boundaries", emphasizing the limits or borders that are being expanded.

amplifying the magnitude

Uses "amplifying" instead of "widening" and "magnitude" in place of "scope", suggesting an increase in significance or impact.

augmenting the parameters

Replaces "scope" with "parameters", which refers to the limits or boundaries.

enhancing the dimension

Substitutes "widening" with "enhancing" and "scope" with "dimension", focusing on making something greater or better.

developing the potential

Suggests an expansion of possibilities or capabilities.

deepening the understanding

Replaces the concrete noun with the abstract one "understanding", indicating a widening in the knowledge.

FAQs

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

You can use "widening the scope" to describe expanding the range or extent of something, such as "The company is "widening the scope" of its marketing efforts to include social media" or "The research project is "widening the scope" to include more participants".

What are some alternatives to "widening the scope"?

Alternatives to "widening the scope" include "expanding the range", "broadening the focus", or "increasing the reach". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

Both "widening the scope" and "expanding the scope" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to "widen the scope" of a project?

To "widen the scope" of a project means to increase its objectives, activities, or coverage. This might involve adding new tasks, including more stakeholders, or extending the project's reach to new areas.