Gap's collocations

[Roozbeh]

The focus of economic policy had been to lower/tighten the gap between the rich and the poor.

Would you please enlighten me about the accuracy of these two words here? To me, both of them are correct and acceptable. What do you think?

 

[MikeNewYork]

They both work for me.

 

[SoothingDave]

You can narrow the gap as well.

 

[emsr2d2]

"Narrow" would be my first choice.

 

[Roozbeh]

Do you agree with me that "reduce, lower, tighten, narrow, bridge" can all work here?

 

[SoothingDave]

I don't like "bridge" here. It's a different meaning.

 

[Roozbeh]

Longman's software claims that "bridge" can work here. Why do you think otherwise?

 

[emsr2d2]

It's not grammatically incorrect. We can bridge a gap, whether it's a real gap or a metaphorical one. However, it does not mean the same as any of your other suggestions.

 

[MikeNewYork]

"Bridge" can have the meaning of reducing the distance between things. For me, it can work in this setting.

 

[Roozbeh]

Yes. Bridge the gap connotes the different sense. I just wanted to receive approval for the accuracy of all those given words. So, they can fit there, albeit differently.

 

[tedmc]

When a gap is bridged, there is no more gap.
Heights can be lowered or raised, gaps are narrowed or reduced.
You tighten something that is loose.

not a teacher

 

[MikeNewYork]

1. Yes, when you use the past participle, the action is completed. But when you use the present participle or infinitive, the action is not yet complete.

2. In this case, the gap is economic. The rich are at a higher level than the poor, so lower can work.

3. Tighten can mean narrow or limit.