wider than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wider than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the width of two objects or concepts, indicating that one is greater in width than the other. Example: "The river is wider than the stream that flows into it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Spitzer Insurance Probe Wider Than Thought.

Forbes

But it goes wider than that.

The Economist

The smile is wider than the torso.

The New York Times - Books

South is open wider than ever.

The New York Times

It spread wider than his ample midsection.

The New York Times - Sports

It's wider than politics.

The Guardian

"Moon River wider than a . .

The New Yorker

Ms. Creore smiled wider than her publicity shot.

The New York Times

This alienation went much wider than that.

The Guardian - Opinion

The loss was wider than expected.

The New York Times

It went much wider than that.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wider than", ensure you are comparing like terms to maintain clarity. For example, compare the width of two rivers, not a river's width to a mountain's height.

Common error

Avoid using "wider than" when comparing abstract concepts where a more appropriate term like "broader", "more comprehensive", or "more extensive" would provide greater clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wider than" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to indicate that one object or concept possesses a greater width than another. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is commonly used across various contexts to express relative dimensions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

27%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wider than" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed comparative construction. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to compare the width of two subjects, whether physical objects or abstract concepts. While versatile across different contexts, it's particularly common in news, media, and scientific domains. When using the phrase, it's crucial to ensure a clear comparison between like terms, and to avoid misusing it in abstract scenarios where alternatives like "broader than" might be more appropriate. Ludwig's analysis underscores the reliability and broad applicability of "wider than" in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broader than

Focuses on scope or range rather than physical width.

more extensive than

Emphasizes the degree or reach of something.

larger in scope than

Specifically highlights the scale of the comparison.

more expansive than

Suggests a greater area or coverage.

of greater magnitude than

Indicates a significant difference in size or importance.

more comprehensive than

Implies a more thorough or complete nature.

exceeding in width

A more formal and literal alternative, focusing on physical dimension.

surpassing in breadth

Emphasizes horizontal extent or range.

outreaching

Highlights something exceeding something else.

more inclusive than

Focuses on the extent of inclusion or coverage.

FAQs

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

You can use "wider than" to compare the physical width of objects, such as "The river is "wider than" the stream". It can also compare more abstract concepts, for example, "The scope of the project is "wider than" initially anticipated".

What are some alternatives to "wider than"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "broader than", "more extensive than", or "larger in scope than" to express a similar comparison.

Is it correct to say "more wide than" instead of "wider than"?

While "more wide than" might be understood, ""wider than"" is the standard and grammatically correct comparative form of "wide". It is generally preferred in both formal and informal contexts.

When should I use "broader than" instead of "wider than"?

"Broader than" is more appropriate when discussing the scope, range, or variety of something. Use ""wider than"" when referring to the physical dimension of width. For example, "the implications are broader than the initial focus", versus "the door is wider than the frame".