wider

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "wider" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an adjective, adverb, or a noun. For example: The new road will be wider than the old one. The lake's shoreline widened. The ocean has a much wider expanse than the lake.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My party and, indeed, the Conservative party have been on record as being very against the proposal by the previous Labour government, for instance, to legislate for a wider amnesty and we want to see the rule of law always be applied.

The Guardian

"I believe a new home secretary after the general election should even now include the Kincora scandal into the wider Westminster paedophile inquiry".

The Guardian

Across the wider Whitbread group, third-quarter comparable sales were up 3.3%, with the group's Premier Inn hotel chain making gains against declining revenues in the hotel industry.

The Guardian - Business

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has become the surprise choice for this year's Nobel peace prize, a decision the Oslo committee said recognised both its current, hazardous mission to destroy Syria's chemical weapons stocks and 16 years of wider global efforts.

The Guardian

That is emblematic of a wider challenge the party has yet to address.

The Guardian - Opinion

I will continue that, and cast the net wider; hopefully I will bring a fresh energy and build on what Nick has done".

The Guardian

No 10 says the idea was trailed in the manifesto and Ed Miliband in principle had accepted the reform, albeit as part of a wider reform of political funding including a cap on individual donations.

The Guardian

The Question Time problem is a microcosm of the wider mess of our housing crisis.

The Guardian - Opinion

Beckford's hope now is that having become only the third player to score a hat-trick in a play-off final, following on from Clive Mendonca of Charlton and Swansea City's Scott Sinclair, a wider audience will be reminded of his talents.

The Guardian - Sport

The company, led by Newcastle United boss Mike Ashley, said it views the stakes as part of a "wider conversation" with those companies.

The Guardian - Business

A narrow scramble, no wider than a sheep track, edged over the heaps of waste rock towards a larch wood within a ferny, stone wall.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wider" to suggest a more inclusive perspective or a broader range of considerations, rather than simply indicating physical dimensions.

Common error

Avoid using "wider" when "wider" only refers to physical size. For measurable size differences, it's clearer to specify dimensions or use comparative adjectives like "larger" or "broader" depending on the specific attribute you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The term "wider" primarily functions as a comparative adjective, indicating a greater extent or scope. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and can be utilized to show expansion. The examples show how it modifies nouns to describe increased reach or inclusivity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "wider" is used to indicate a greater extent, range, or inclusivity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions primarily as a comparative adjective and is generally considered grammatically correct. It is frequently used in contexts such as News & Media, as evidenced by the numerous examples in the provided search results. While generally neutral in register, the formality of "wider" is ultimately determined by the specific context. Remember to use "wider" to refer to something inclusive or expanded. Avoid using "wider" when "wider" only refers to physical size. For measurable size differences, it's clearer to specify dimensions or use comparative adjectives like "larger" or "broader" depending on the specific attribute you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broader

A direct synonym emphasizing increased breadth.

more expansive

Focuses on the extent of expansion or coverage.

more comprehensive

Emphasizes thoroughness and completeness.

more extensive

Highlights the great range or scale.

more wide-ranging

Highlights variety and diversity within a broad scope.

more inclusive

Stresses the inclusion of more elements or people.

more far-reaching

Highlights a great and important effect or influence.

more all-encompassing

Implies including everything; extremely comprehensive.

more general

Emphasizes the lack of specificity or detail.

more overarching

Implies encompassing or dominating all other considerations.

FAQs

How can I use "wider" in a sentence?

The word "wider" is used to describe something that has a greater extent from side to side. For example: "The new bridge has a "broader span" than the old one", or "The company adopted a "more inclusive policy"".

What are some alternatives to using the word "wider"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "broader", "more extensive", or "more comprehensive".

Is it correct to say "more wider"?

No, "more wider" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. "Wider" is already a comparative adjective, so adding "more" is redundant. Just use "wider".

What's the difference between "wider" and "broader"?

"Wider" and "broader" are often interchangeable, but "wider" tends to emphasize physical width or extent, while "broader" can imply a more abstract or conceptual expansion.