What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
widen
Example
The road needs to be widened to accommodate more traffic. [widen: verb]
Example
The river widens as it flows towards the sea. [widens: present tense]
expand
Example
The company plans to expand its operations to other countries. [expand: verb]
Example
The teacher asked the students to expand on their ideas in their essays. [expand: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Expand is more commonly used than widen in everyday language. Expand is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while widen is less common and more specific in its usage.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between widen and expand?
Both widen and expand can be used in formal and informal contexts, but expand may be more appropriate for professional or academic writing due to its broader scope and positive connotation of growth and progress.
