What Does “Broaden sth out” Mean?
“Broaden sth out” means to make something wider, larger, or more extensive. It often refers to expanding ideas, physical spaces, or areas of knowledge.
Introduction
The phrase “broaden sth out” is a useful phrasal verb in English that describes the action of making something wider or more comprehensive. Whether you are talking about widening a road, expanding your knowledge, or developing an idea further, “broaden sth out” fits perfectly. Understanding the broaden sth out meaning helps learners express growth or expansion in different contexts. This phrase is common in both everyday conversations and formal writing, making it important for English learners to master.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: broaden something out
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to make something wider or more extensive
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Broaden sth out” is a separable phrasal verb. You can place the object between “broaden” and “out” or after the whole phrase.
- Broaden something out
- Broaden out something
Examples:
- We need to broaden the discussion out.
- We need to broaden out the discussion.
How to Use “Broaden sth out”?
Use “broaden sth out” when you want to talk about making a subject, idea, or physical space bigger or more inclusive. It works well in both literal and figurative contexts. You can use it when discussing plans, knowledge, conversations, or physical areas.
It usually requires an object (something), such as “knowledge,” “horizons,” or “roads.”
Examples
- The city council decided to broaden the main street out to reduce traffic jams.
- She wants to broaden her skills out by learning new languages.
- Let’s broaden the project out to include more community members.
- They broadened out the research to cover more countries.
- Broaden sth out in a sentence: “We need to broaden the conversation out to include everyone’s opinion.”
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: Broaden out the knowledge.
- Correct: Broaden the knowledge out.
- Incorrect: She broadened out her experience.
- Correct: She broadened her experience out.
Remember, the object usually comes between “broaden” and “out.”
Differences / Synonyms
Broaden sth out vs. Expand: Both mean to make something bigger. “Broaden sth out” often implies width or scope, while “expand” can mean increasing size in any direction.
Broaden sth out vs. Enlarge: “Enlarge” usually refers to physical size, while “broaden sth out” includes non-physical ideas.
Broaden sth out vs. Extend: “Extend” means to make longer or last longer, while “broaden sth out” focuses on width or range.
Common Collocations
- Broaden horizons out
- Broaden knowledge out
- Broaden experience out
- Broaden discussion out
- Broaden the scope out
- Broaden the road/street out
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: We should broaden the project out to include more participants.
Ben: That’s a good idea. It will make our results more reliable.
Anna: Exactly. It will also broaden our understanding of the issue.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
- A) We need to broaden out the scope of the study.
- B) We need to broaden the scope out of the study.
- C) We need to broaden the scope out.
Answer: C) We need to broaden the scope out.
FAQs
- Q: Can “broaden sth out” be used without an object?
A: No, it usually requires an object to show what is being broadened. - Q: Is “broaden sth out” formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Can I use “broaden out” alone?
A: Yes, but usually when the object is clear from context. - Q: What is the difference between “broaden” and “broaden out”?
A: “Broaden out” emphasizes making something wider or more extensive, often in scope. - Q: Is “broaden sth out” separable?
A: Yes, you can separate the verb and particle with the object.
