wider explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wider explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to refer to a more comprehensive or broader clarification of a topic or concept. Example: "To fully understand the implications of this theory, we need a wider explanation that covers all relevant aspects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It claims to begin in the abeyance of theory, but strives to produce a deeper, wider explanation of observable event.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the wider explanation is clear: we are in the crossfire of a price war, one that has only been intensified by the hugely successful emergence of the new discounters, Aldi and Lidl.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Others offer wider explanations.

The Economist

These detailed data on how LHWs organize and structure their time could contribute to the development of wider explanations of how LHW programmes impact on health outcomes, including TB and ART outcomes, and the factors affecting the implementation of LHW programmes at scale [ 5, 28].

Human Resources for Health

An evolutionary approach to three great literary humorists, Shakespeare, Nabokov and Beckett, shows that a species-wide explanation not only cuts deeper but in no way diminishes individual difference.

Johns Hopkins University

The TREC 2005 Overview [ 13] document offers a wide explanation about tasks, tests, and results performed in the competition.

BioMed Research International

Malaria epidemiology is greatly influenced by a range of local factors, making a consistent continent-wide explanation seem unlikely (28, 52).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Scientific theories, on the other hand, are broad explanations for a wide range of phenomena.

University of California, Berkeley

Variation and Evolution in Plants was the first book to provide a wide-ranging explanation of how evolutionary mechanisms operated in plants at the genetic level.

Wikipedia

The study of religious psychology involves both the gathering and classification of data and the building and testing of various (usually rather wide-ranging) explanations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The government hopes the publication of the data will lead parents, local media and interest groups to be more assertive in demanding value for money - while there may be wide ranging explanations for what the data shows, it is more information than has ever been publicly available before to help them work out what questions to ask.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wider explanation" when you want to convey that the clarification covers a broad scope or considers multiple perspectives. It's suitable when a simple explanation is insufficient.

Common error

Avoid using "wider explanation" when a more detailed or "deeper explanation" is actually needed. "Wider" refers to scope, while "deeper" refers to level of detail.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wider explanation" functions as a noun phrase where "wider" acts as a pre-modifying adjective specifying the scope of the explanation. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wider explanation" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the need for a more comprehensive understanding of a topic. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase is acceptable in written English and appears in various reputable sources, including news, scientific, and academic publications. While its frequency is relatively rare, employing "wider explanation" suggests the necessity of considering multiple factors or perspectives to achieve a fuller grasp of the subject matter. Alternatives, such as "broader explanation" or "more comprehensive explanation", offer similar meanings, allowing for flexibility in expression. The key is to use "wider explanation" when a broad scope is needed, rather than a deeper level of detail.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broader explanation

Replaces "wider" with a synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

more comprehensive explanation

Uses "comprehensive" to emphasize the thoroughness of the explanation.

more extensive explanation

Emphasizes the detailed nature of the explanation.

in-depth explanation

Highlights the depth and detail of the explanation.

thorough explanation

Focuses on the completeness of the explanation.

fuller explanation

Suggests a more complete or detailed version of an explanation.

expanded explanation

Indicates that the explanation has been made larger or more detailed.

detailed explanation

Highlights the presence of many specifics in the explanation.

elaborate explanation

Suggests the explanation is complex and thoroughly developed.

complete explanation

Highlights that the explanation covers all necessary aspects.

FAQs

What does "wider explanation" mean?

A "wider explanation" is one that provides a more comprehensive or broader understanding of a topic, considering multiple aspects or perspectives.

How can I use "wider explanation" in a sentence?

You can use it when you need a more comprehensive account. For example: "The study aims to provide a "wider explanation" of the factors contributing to climate change".

What are some alternatives to "wider explanation"?

You can use alternatives like "broader explanation", "more comprehensive explanation", or "more extensive explanation" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "wider explanation" versus "deeper explanation"?

"Wider explanation" is appropriate when the topic needs a broader scope. While "deeper explanation" is suitable when more detail or analysis is needed.