wider than needed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wider than needed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a greater width than what is necessary for a particular purpose or function. Example: "The table is wider than needed for our small dining area, making it difficult to move around."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Our choice of the exposure window allowed sufficient time for two or more redemptions and was identical to the exposure window in the study by Louik et al. 13 Additionally, our study was designed to investigate the potential association with various malformations with different windows of susceptibility, and as a result the exposure window was wider than needed for most malformations.

British Medical Journal

All you need to do is screw the screw into the drywall (slowly, so as not to go crooked & making the hole wider than needed), and then back it out, then tap in your anchor, and insert the screw into the anchor.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

ON a hillside a mile from the nearest paved road, surrounded by a latticework of stone walls, about 10 feet high and 15 feet wide, far wider and higher than needed to contain any cow that ever lived, the stone chambers looked like ancient temples.

The New York Times

Cut your lumber for the legs about a 1/4-inch wider and longer than needed so you have room to smooth and finish the legs to size.

WikiHow

That is far wider than is needed to accept a wavelength of natural light, which spans only 0.6 microns.

Forbes

The stairs are wider than we need them; we want to invite people to have a different kind of experience than to rush from one gallery to another.

The Guardian - Arts

Our bronchioles are wider than they need to be to minimize resistance, and Sapoval's team thinks they know why: safety.

Science Magazine

The Verdugo lane is a bit wider than it needs to be.

Los Angeles Times

It's almost always a good idea to mark your linoleum floor pieces about an inch or two wider than they need to be.

WikiHow

You might consider ordering the next size larger, a 20x24, but the 20" width is 4" wider than you need, and the 24" length is 1" longer.

WikiHow

Write more than needed.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing dimensions, use "wider than needed" to clearly convey that something exceeds the necessary width, emphasizing the excess in that specific dimension.

Common error

Avoid using vague terms like "big" or "large" when "wider than needed" can more accurately describe the specific issue of excessive width. Precision enhances clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wider than needed" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by describing its width relative to a required or sufficient amount. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a grammatically correct way to express that something's width surpasses what is necessary.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wider than needed" is a grammatically correct comparative phrase used to describe something whose width surpasses what is necessary. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in various contexts. While not exceedingly common, the phrase is found in diverse sources, including scientific journals, news articles, and wikis, suggesting its appropriateness across different registers. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the specific issue of excessive width, and consider alternatives like "broader than required" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broader than necessary

Replaces "needed" with "necessary", maintaining similar meaning and formality.

larger than required

Substitutes "wider" with "larger", shifting the focus from width specifically to overall size.

more expansive than required

Emphasizes the extent of the width, suggesting a greater degree of excess.

excessively wide

Simplifies the phrase by directly stating that the width is excessive.

unnecessarily wide

Focuses on the lack of necessity for the width.

wider than what's optimal

Introduces the concept of optimality, implying the current width is not ideal.

more ample than necessary

Replaces "wide" with "ample", suggesting generous proportions beyond what is required.

wider than the specification

Uses "specification" to refer to width requirements.

exceeds the required width

Rephrases the sentence to a more explicit statement.

wider than the standard

Emphasizes the phrase has become wider with respect to some standard.

FAQs

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

Use "wider than needed" to describe something that has an excessive width for its purpose. For instance, "The doorway was "wider than needed", allowing unnecessary drafts to enter the room".

What's a more formal alternative to "wider than needed"?

A more formal alternative could be "broader than required" or "exceeds the necessary width". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic writing.

How does "wider than needed" differ from "larger than needed"?

"Wider than needed" specifically refers to the dimension of width, while "larger than needed" implies an overall size that is excessive. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the dimension you're describing.

Is it okay to use "wider than necessary" instead of "wider than needed"?

Yes, "wider than necessary" is perfectly acceptable and nearly interchangeable with "wider than needed". The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific context.