broaden/ widen/ expand/ extend
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Have you looked up each verb in several dictionaries? If not, please do so, then come back to us and tell us what similarities/differences you find. Also, please use each of the four verbs in a sentence so that we can see what you're trying to say.
worledit
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Yes, I have, in Spanish they are translated to "ampliar" this is why is hard for me to differentiate them.
-I have broadened my knowledge
-I have widened my knowledge
-I have expanded my knowledge
-I have extended my knowledge
I guess the correct one is the first sentence since I have read many times the verb "broaden" used with knowledge.
Is there any rule to distinguish whether to use one or another?
-I have broadened my knowledge
-I have widened my knowledge
-I have expanded my knowledge
-I have extended my knowledge
I guess the correct one is the first sentence since I have read many times the verb "broaden" used with knowledge.
Is there any rule to distinguish whether to use one or another?
ChinaDan
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You are going to have to take the time to follow emsr2d2's advice.
I've just rattled through a bunch of examples in my head, and it would take pages to cover everything.
They are synonyms, but that does not mean they are always exchangeable.
We just don't say, "I want to widen my awareness". We do say, " I want to broaden/expand/extend my awareness", but each choice has slightly different meaning.
A company can expand or extend its reach into a new market, but it would broaden or widen(?) its reach in an existing market (probably). Note the "?"; not a great example.
"Broaden" can mean the same as "widen" (to make something wider, like a road), but broaden can also suggest "diversification".
"Expand" can mean "diversification", but can also simply mean "more".
"Extend" can mean "more", but can also mean "further".
See what we mean?
I've just rattled through a bunch of examples in my head, and it would take pages to cover everything.
They are synonyms, but that does not mean they are always exchangeable.
We just don't say, "I want to widen my awareness". We do say, " I want to broaden/expand/extend my awareness", but each choice has slightly different meaning.
A company can expand or extend its reach into a new market, but it would broaden or widen(?) its reach in an existing market (probably). Note the "?"; not a great example.
"Broaden" can mean the same as "widen" (to make something wider, like a road), but broaden can also suggest "diversification".
"Expand" can mean "diversification", but can also simply mean "more".
"Extend" can mean "more", but can also mean "further".
See what we mean?
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I wasn't suggesting that you look them up in an English-Spanish dictionary. I meant that you should look them up in several English dictionaries - they give definitions in English, rather than a translation to your own language.
You can search multiple dictionaries at One Look. You might want to bookmark that site and use it regularly.
You can search multiple dictionaries at One Look. You might want to bookmark that site and use it regularly.
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