would widen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would widen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a potential increase in size, scope, or extent in a hypothetical situation. Example: "If we invest in new technology, it would widen our market reach significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She would widen the debate.

Independent

"That would widen what we would receive.

The New York Times

And Hal's eyes would widen in horror.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Your eyes would widen then with wonder.

The Guardian - Books

The project would widen existing roads and build new ones.

The New York Times

The danger lies in any amendment that would widen it.

The New York Times

"It makes sense that it would widen our audience.

The Guardian - Music

Both measures, critics say, would widen differences between state schools in rich and poor areas.

The Economist

That would widen the spread of these countries' bond yields over German yields.

The Economist

Hence, the beam would widen and disperse, and its energy would be lost.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The amount owed would widen only if auditors challenged any of the remaining bills.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "would widen", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being widened and the potential impact of this expansion.

Common error

Avoid using "would widen" without specifying what is being widened. For example, instead of saying "This would widen", specify "This would widen the gap" or "This would widen our understanding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would widen" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a conditional or hypothetical action. It indicates a potential expansion or increase in scope, degree, or extent, contingent on a specific condition or action. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples demonstrating its use in hypothetical scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would widen" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to describe a hypothetical increase or expansion. As Ludwig AI highlights, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. It is crucial to specify what is being widened to maintain clarity. Related phrases such as "could broaden" or "would enlarge" offer alternative ways to express similar ideas. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively employ "would widen" to convey potential consequences or outcomes in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could broaden

Replaces "widen" with "broaden", keeping the conditional aspect unchanged.

could expand

Employs "expand" in place of "widen", indicating a growth in size, range, or amount.

would enlarge

Replaces "widen" with "enlarge", focusing on increasing physical size or scope.

would augment

Substitutes "widen" with "augment", implying an increase or enhancement.

would extend

Uses "extend" instead of "widen", emphasizing the lengthening or stretching of something.

could amplify

Uses "amplify" instead of "widen", suggesting a greater expansion or intensification.

could magnify

Substitutes "widen" with "magnify", suggesting an increase in perceived importance or scale.

could intensify

Employs "intensify" in place of "widen", highlighting an increase in strength or concentration.

would amplify its reach

Adds "its reach" to "amplify", specifying what is being expanded or increased.

would escalate

Replaces "widen" with "escalate", focusing on a rapid increase or intensification.

FAQs

How can I use "would widen" in a sentence?

You can use "would widen" to express a hypothetical increase in something. For example: "Investing in education "would widen" opportunities for future generations."

What are some alternatives to "would widen"?

Alternatives to "would widen" include phrases like "could expand", "would enlarge", or "could broaden", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "will widen" instead of "would widen"?

While "will widen" is grammatically correct, "would widen" is more appropriate when discussing hypothetical or conditional situations. "Will widen" implies a greater degree of certainty. Choose "would widen" if there is no certainty.

What's the difference between "would widen" and "would increase"?

"Would widen" often implies a broadening of scope or range, while "would increase" generally refers to a rise in quantity or intensity. For instance, "This policy "would widen" the income gap," versus "This policy "would increase" taxes".