widens up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widens up" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is simply "widens." Example: "The river widens as it approaches the delta."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

However, as the load increases, the latency gap between SUIT and FCE widens up to 4 s, which means 28% performance gap.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The crossguard forms an arch that is 1.8 cm wide in the middle and widens up to 3.4 cm at both ends.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Then there is this thud and you could see everyone's face just widen up".

The New York Times

Nine miles of beaches along Cancún and the Riviera Maya have been widened up to 600 feet.

The New York Times - Travel

It's great if you can get kids to eat them early on, as it will widen up their taste buds to other strong-flavoured ingredients.

Independent

"Then our eyes started to widen up a little bit at the prospect of what might be coming in the future," he continued.

The New York Times - Science

Note that in order to obtain sufficient MLT coverage, the low-latitude range is been widened up to 40°.

Earth, Planets and Space

Moreover the frequency bandwidth was widened up to 200% compared to the one obtained from a single cantilever beam.

Optical Materials

As a result, the acceptance angle can be widened up to 250 mrad in horizontal and 63 mrad in vertical.

Infrared Physics & Technology

The entrance doors will be widening up as well, from 50- to 58-inches, which should free things up a bit as everyone attempts to rush on and off all at once during rush hour.

TechCrunch

The study focuses on widening up the therapeutic perspective of anti-cancer therapy by entrapping a hydrophilic anticancer drug, topotecan hydrochloride (TOPO) in biodegradable poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) matrix to form topotecan nanoparticles (TOPO NPs) by a double emulsion solvent evaporation technique.

Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the single-word verb "widens" instead of the phrasal verb "widens up" for clearer and more grammatically accepted writing.

Common error

Avoid adding "up" to the verb "widen". The word "widen" already implies an increase in width, making "up" redundant and grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widens up" functions as a phrasal verb, although according to Ludwig AI, it's considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. The intended function is to describe the act of something becoming wider.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "widens up" appears in some contexts, according to Ludwig AI it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. The preferred and more concise alternative is simply "widens". This single-word verb effectively conveys the meaning of becoming wider. Though examples can be found in news, science, and wiki sources, it's best to stick to “widens” in professional, academic, or formal communication. Remember, choosing the grammatically correct form ensures clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broadens

Single word replacement. "Broadens" offers a more concise and grammatically standard alternative.

expands

Single word replacement. "Expands" suggests an increase in size, scope, or extent, similar to "widens up".

increases

Single word replacement. "Increases" focuses on the numerical or quantifiable aspect of growth.

grows

"Grows" implies a gradual increase, often in a more organic or natural way.

extends

"Extends" suggests an increase in length or reach.

enlarges

"Enlarges" emphasizes making something bigger in physical size.

stretches

"Stretches" suggests extending something by pulling or expanding it.

spreads

"Spreads" implies extending over a wider area or range.

inflates

"Inflates" suggests an increase in size due to being filled with air or gas, or metaphorically, an exaggerated increase.

magnifies

"Magnifies" implies making something appear larger, often through optical means or in terms of importance.

FAQs

Is "widens up" grammatically correct?

No, "widens up" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct and more concise form is simply "widens".

What does "widens" mean?

"Widens" means to become wider or to make something wider. It implies an increase in width or scope. You can use alternatives like "expands" or "increases", depending on the context.

How can I use "widens" in a sentence?

You can use "widens" in a sentence like this: "The river widens as it approaches the sea." or "The company widens its product line to attract more customers."

What are some alternatives to "widens"?

Some alternatives to "widens" include "broadens", "enlarges", or "extends". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.