What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wide
Example
The river was wide and flowed slowly. [wide: adjective]
Example
There is a wide selection of books at the library. [wide: adjective]
Example
He has a wide knowledge of history. [wide: adjective]
extensive
Example
The park has an extensive trail system for hiking. [extensive: adjective]
Example
She conducted an extensive investigation into the company's finances. [extensive: adjective]
Example
The professor has extensive knowledge of ancient civilizations. [extensive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wide is more commonly used than extensive in everyday language. Wide is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while extensive is less common and often used in academic or technical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between wide and extensive?
Extensive is more formal and academic than wide. It is often used in technical or scientific writing, while wide is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
