broaden
To broaden means to make something bigger or wider. Imagine a road; if you broaden it, you make it have more lanes or a larger area. We can also use it for things like knowledge or experience.
For example, if you read many books, you broaden your knowledge. This means you learn more about different things. If you travel to new places, you broaden your experience by seeing different cultures and ways of life.
At the B2 CEFR level, understanding "broaden" involves grasping its use in discussions about expanding various aspects, like knowledge or experience. You'll encounter it when talking about making things more extensive or inclusive. For example, a B2 learner might read about initiatives to broaden access to education or a company aiming to broaden its market reach. It's a key term for expressing growth, diversification, and increased scope in both academic and professional settings.
When we talk about something being broadened, we mean it's being made more encompassing, often in terms of scope, understanding, or reach. This isn't just about making something physically wider; it frequently refers to expanding concepts, knowledge, or even an individual's perspective.
For instance, one might broaden their professional skills by learning new technologies, or a company might broaden its market reach by appealing to a new demographic. It implies a deliberate act of expansion, moving beyond existing limits to include more variety or depth. The goal is often to enhance effectiveness, inclusivity, or comprehensive understanding.
Broaden, at CEFR C2, encapsulates the act of expanding something into a wider or more comprehensive state, often involving an increase in scope, diversity, or inclusivity. It frequently applies to intellectual domains, such as broadening one's knowledge or perspective, signifying a deep and nuanced understanding of various viewpoints.
The term suggests a deliberate and often transformative process of development, moving beyond limitations to embrace a richer array of possibilities. This could involve diversifying one's skill set, extending the reach of an initiative, or fostering a more inclusive environment.
§ What Does 'Broaden' Mean?
The word 'broaden' is a versatile verb that essentially means to make something wider, larger, or more extensive in scope, range, or understanding. It implies an expansion, an increase, or a diversification. While it can be used in a literal sense, such as broadening a road, its most frequent and significant applications are metaphorical, referring to the expansion of abstract concepts like knowledge, experience, perspectives, or opportunities.
- Definition
- To make something wider or more extensive, or to increase the range of something such as knowledge, experience, or influence. It is frequently used in academic and professional contexts to describe the process of becoming more inclusive or diverse in scope.
§ When Do People Use 'Broaden'?
People use 'broaden' in a variety of contexts, but it's particularly common in discussions about personal development, education, career advancement, and societal progress. Here are some key scenarios:
- Personal Growth and Learning: When individuals seek to expand their understanding of the world, acquire new skills, or gain diverse perspectives, they are said to be 'broadening their horizons' or 'broadening their knowledge base.' This is a very common application of the word.
- Education and Curriculum Development: Educators often talk about 'broadening the curriculum' to include a wider range of subjects or perspectives, or 'broadening students' minds' by exposing them to different ideas and cultures.
- Career Development: Professionals may aim to 'broaden their skill set' to become more versatile or to 'broaden their professional network' to create more opportunities. Companies might 'broaden their market' by reaching out to new customer segments.
- Societal and Cultural Discussions: In discussions about social progress, people might advocate for 'broadening inclusivity' or 'broadening representation' to ensure a wider range of voices and experiences are heard and valued. It can also refer to 'broadening perspectives' on complex social issues.
- Literal Expansion: While less common in a metaphorical sense, 'broaden' can be used literally, for example, 'to broaden a river' or 'to broaden a path,' meaning to make it physically wider.
§ Examples of 'Broaden' in Use
Let's look at some examples to illustrate the usage of 'broaden':
Traveling to different countries can help you broaden your perspective on global cultures.
In this example, 'broaden' refers to expanding one's understanding and viewpoint of different cultures.
The company decided to broaden its product range to attract a wider customer base.
Here, 'broaden' means to increase the variety or extent of the products offered.
Reading widely is an excellent way to broaden your vocabulary and general knowledge.
This sentence illustrates how reading can expand both one's lexicon and overall understanding.
§ Synonyms and Related Concepts
While 'broaden' is a precise word, it has several synonyms that can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey:
- Expand: Similar to broaden, often used for physical or conceptual growth.
- Widen: Can be used interchangeably with broaden, especially in literal contexts.
- Enlarge: Suggests making something bigger in size or scope.
- Extend: Implies increasing the length, duration, or range of something.
- Diversify: Often used when adding variety to a group or collection.
Understanding 'broaden' and its related terms enriches one's ability to express ideas about growth, development, and inclusivity with greater precision and impact.
§ Definition
- Word
- Broaden
- Part of Speech
- Verb
- CEFR Level
- B2
- Definition
- To make something wider or more extensive, or to increase the range of something such as knowledge, experience, or influence. It is frequently used in academic and professional contexts to describe the process of becoming more inclusive or diverse in scope.
§ How to use it in a sentence — grammar, prepositions
The verb 'broaden' is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts to express the expansion or increase of something. It is a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object. You can broaden your horizons, your knowledge, your understanding, your perspective, or even your appeal. It is commonly used in academic and professional settings, reflecting its formal and descriptive nature. Let's explore its usage with some examples and grammatical tips.
§ Common Structures with 'Broaden'
- Broaden + Noun (Direct Object): This is the most common construction.
Reading different genres can significantly broaden your vocabulary.
The new policy aims to broaden access to education for all citizens.
- Broaden + (Possessive Pronoun/Noun's) + Noun: To specify whose or what's scope is being broadened.
Traveling to new countries can broaden your perspective on different cultures.
The company hopes to broaden its customer base by offering new products.
- Broaden + the scope/range/reach/horizons/appeal of something: These are common collocations.
Digital marketing strategies can broaden the reach of a small business.
Volunteering abroad can broaden one's horizons and provide invaluable experience.
§ 'Broaden' with Prepositions
While 'broaden' itself doesn't always require a preposition, it can be followed by prepositions to provide more specific details about the expansion, though these are less about 'broaden' itself and more about the context of what is being broadened.
- Broaden into: This can indicate a transition or development into something larger or more inclusive.
Their initial research on local history soon began to broaden into a comprehensive study of the entire region.
- Broaden beyond: To indicate moving past existing limits or boundaries.
The discussion needs to broaden beyond just financial concerns to include social impacts.
§ Tips for Using 'Broaden' Effectively
Mastering the use of 'broaden' will enhance your ability to discuss growth, development, and inclusivity in both your written and spoken English, particularly in more formal contexts.
§ Common Misconceptions and Usage Errors
"Broaden" is a versatile verb, but its nuances can sometimes lead to common mistakes. Understanding these pitfalls can significantly improve your accuracy and fluency when using the word.
§ Mistake 1: Using "broaden" as an adjective
One frequent error is mistakenly using "broaden" as an adjective instead of its correct form, "broad." Remember, "broaden" describes the *action* of making something broad, while "broad" describes the *state* of being wide or extensive.
- Incorrect Usage
- The broaden road is dangerous.
- Correct Usage
- The broad road is dangerous.
We need to broaden our perspective.
§ Mistake 2: Redundancy with similar words
Sometimes, learners inadvertently pair "broaden" with words that create redundancy. For example, saying "broaden wider" or "broaden more extensive" is unnecessary because "broaden" already implies increasing in width or extent.
- Incorrect Usage
- They aim to broaden wider their customer base.
- Correct Usage
- They aim to broaden their customer base.
§ Mistake 3: Misapplying "broaden" to inappropriate contexts
While "broaden" is about expansion, it's not always the right word for every type of increase. It typically applies to abstract concepts like knowledge, experience, scope, or actual physical width, not usually to quantities or sizes in a general sense.
- Incorrect for numerical increase: You wouldn't typically say "broaden the number of employees"; instead, you'd say "increase the number of employees."
- Incorrect for simple growth: For something like a plant growing, you'd use "grow" or "expand," not usually "broaden."
- Incorrect Usage
- We need to broaden the amount of money we have.
- Correct Usage
- We need to increase the amount of money we have.
Traveling can broaden your horizons.
§ Mistake 4: Confusing "broaden" with "widen" in all contexts
While "broaden" and "widen" are often interchangeable when referring to physical width, "broaden" has a much stronger connotation of increasing scope, understanding, or inclusiveness in abstract contexts. "Widen" is more strictly about physical dimension.
- Less precise (but sometimes acceptable)
- We need to widen our understanding of the issue.
- More precise/common
- We need to broaden our understanding of the issue.
The river began to broaden as it approached the sea.
Exemples par niveau
Reading widely can really broaden your perspective on different cultures.
Læsning af mange bøger kan virkelig udvide dit perspektiv på forskellige kulturer.
Here, 'broaden' is a verb meaning 'to make wider or more extensive'.
The company decided to broaden its product range to attract more customers.
Virksomheden besluttede at udvide sit produktsortiment for at tiltrække flere kunder.
'Broaden' is used transitively with 'product range' as its object.
Traveling to new countries will broaden your experience and understanding of the world.
At rejse til nye lande vil udvide din erfaring og forståelse af verden.
This sentence uses 'broaden' in the sense of increasing the range of experience.
We need to broaden our search for new talent to include a more diverse group of candidates.
Vi er nødt til at udvide vores søgning efter nye talenter til at omfatte en mere forskelligartet gruppe kandidater.
Here, 'broaden' refers to making a search more inclusive.
Studying a foreign language can significantly broaden your career opportunities.
At studere et fremmedsprog kan markant udvide dine karrieremuligheder.
'Broaden' is used to show an increase in the number of opportunities.
The director's aim was to broaden the appeal of the play to a wider audience.
Instruktørens mål var at udvide stykkets appel til et bredere publikum.
This example uses 'broaden the appeal' which means to make it more attractive to more people.
They encouraged students to broaden their knowledge by exploring subjects outside their main field.
De opfordrede studerende til at udvide deres viden ved at udforske emner uden for deres hovedområde.
'Broaden knowledge' is a common collocation.
The charity hopes to broaden its influence by collaborating with more international organizations.
Velgørenhedsorganisationen håber at udvide sin indflydelse ved at samarbejde med flere internationale organisationer.
'Broaden influence' means to extend its impact or reach.
The university's new interdisciplinary program aims to broaden students' perspectives on global issues by integrating diverse academic fields.
University program aims to widen students' views on global issues.
Used transitively with 'perspectives'.
To broaden the appeal of the museum, the curators decided to include interactive exhibits that cater to a younger demographic.
Museum added interactive exhibits to increase its attractiveness.
Used transitively with 'appeal'.
The CEO's strategic vision was to broaden the company's market share by venturing into emerging economies.
CEO aimed to expand company's market share by entering new economies.
Used transitively with 'market share'.
Her sabbatical year allowed her to broaden her understanding of quantum physics through extensive research and collaboration with international experts.
Sabbatical year helped her deepen her knowledge of quantum physics.
Used transitively with 'understanding'.
The government's new policy seeks to broaden access to healthcare for underserved communities, ensuring equitable distribution of medical resources.
Government policy aims to expand healthcare access for disadvantaged groups.
Used transitively with 'access'.
Through continuous professional development, teachers are encouraged to broaden their repertoire of pedagogical techniques.
Teachers are urged to expand their teaching methods through training.
Used transitively with 'repertoire'.
The artist's latest collection endeavors to broaden the scope of contemporary art by incorporating unconventional materials and digital media.
Artist's collection tries to expand contemporary art's boundaries.
Used transitively with 'scope'.
Critics argue that the film adaptation fails to broaden the narrative beyond its source material, thus limiting its thematic depth.
Critics say film doesn't expand the story beyond the book, making it less deep.
Used transitively with 'narrative'.
Astuces
Contextual Learning
Always learn new words in context. Read sentences where 'broaden' is used to understand its meaning and common collocations. For example, 'broaden your horizons' or 'broaden your understanding'.
Sentence Construction
Practice creating your own sentences using 'broaden'. This helps solidify your understanding and allows you to use the word actively. Try: 'I want to broaden my vocabulary by reading more.'
Synonyms and Antonyms
Explore synonyms like 'expand', 'widen', 'extend', and 'enlarge'. Look for antonyms like 'narrow' or 'limit'. This builds a stronger semantic network around the word 'broaden'.
Part of Speech Focus
Remember that 'broaden' is a verb. While the prompt listed it as an adjective, it's typically used to describe an action of making something broad. The adjective form is 'broad'.
Etymology Exploration
Understand its roots: 'broad' + '-en' (a suffix often used to form verbs meaning 'to make' or 'to become'). This can help you remember its meaning and connect it to other words like 'sharpen' or 'widen'.
Common Idioms
Pay attention to common idioms that use 'broaden', such as 'broaden one's mind' or 'broaden one's perspective'. These expressions are frequently used in English.
Flashcards and Spaced Repetition
Create flashcards with 'broaden' on one side and its definition, synonyms, and example sentences on the other. Use spaced repetition to reinforce your memory.
Academic and Professional Usage
Since 'broaden' is frequent in academic and professional contexts, try to read articles or watch documentaries on topics you're interested in. You'll likely encounter phrases like 'to broaden the scope of research' or 'to broaden the company's market reach'.
Distinguishing from 'Broad'
Be careful not to confuse 'broaden' (verb) with 'broad' (adjective). 'Broad' describes something that is wide, while 'broaden' describes the action of making it wide.
Active Recall
Periodically try to recall the meaning and usage of 'broaden' without looking it up. This active recall strengthens memory retention more effectively than passive review.
Teste-toi 54 questions
Which word means to make something bigger or wider?
'Broaden' means to make something wider or more extensive. The other words mean the opposite or something different.
My knowledge will ___ if I read many books.
Reading many books helps to increase or make your knowledge more extensive, which means to broaden it.
The road will ___ to let more cars pass.
If more cars need to pass, the road needs to become wider, which is to broaden.
To broaden means to make something smaller.
No, to broaden means to make something wider or more extensive, not smaller.
You can broaden your experience by trying new things.
Yes, trying new things helps to increase the range of your experience, which means to broaden it.
A small door can broaden to a big door.
Yes, a small door can be made wider, or broadened, to become a big door.
This sentence expresses a desire to expand one's knowledge.
This sentence describes the physical widening of a road.
This sentence means she wants to learn more skills.
Think about learning new things.
Consider improving abilities.
Imagine expanding a business.
Read this aloud:
I want to broaden my vocabulary.
Focus: /ˈbrɔːdən/
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Learning English can broaden your opportunities.
Focus: /ˌɒpərˈtuːnɪtiz/
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Reading books helps to broaden your mind.
Focus: /maɪnd/
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a short sentence about something new you want to learn to broaden your knowledge.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
I want to learn to play the guitar to broaden my knowledge of music.
Imagine you are talking to a friend. Write a sentence telling them about an experience that helped you broaden your understanding of something.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Traveling to a new country helped me broaden my understanding of different cultures.
Complete the sentence: Reading books can help you broaden your...
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Reading books can help you broaden your mind.
What does Maria do to broaden her views?
Read this passage:
Maria likes to visit new places. She thinks traveling helps her learn about different ways of life. This helps her broaden her views on the world. She always comes back with new ideas.
What does Maria do to broaden her views?
The passage states, 'Maria likes to visit new places. She thinks traveling helps her learn about different ways of life. This helps her broaden her views on the world.'
The passage states, 'Maria likes to visit new places. She thinks traveling helps her learn about different ways of life. This helps her broaden her views on the world.'
Why is Tom learning a new skill?
Read this passage:
Tom wants to get a new job. He is learning a new computer skill. He hopes this new skill will broaden his chances for a better job. He studies every day after work.
Why is Tom learning a new skill?
The passage says, 'He hopes this new skill will broaden his chances for a better job.'
The passage says, 'He hopes this new skill will broaden his chances for a better job.'
What does the school want to broaden?
Read this passage:
Our school decided to offer more art classes. The principal said, 'We want to broaden the students' creativity.' Now, students can choose from drawing, painting, and sculpture classes.
What does the school want to broaden?
The principal states, 'We want to broaden the students' creativity.'
The principal states, 'We want to broaden the students' creativity.'
This sentence talks about someone wanting to make their skills more extensive.
This sentence means he wants to learn more and have new experiences.
This sentence means the road will be made wider.
The speaker is talking about increasing knowledge.
The speaker is discussing how to expand experiences.
The speaker is talking about expanding a business.
Read this aloud:
I want to broaden my vocabulary.
Focus: broaden
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
How can I broaden my skills?
Focus: broaden, skills
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Traveling helps to broaden your perspective.
Focus: broaden, perspective
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen for how the manager plans to expand customer interest.
Consider what is needed to gain a deeper cultural understanding.
Think about how new tasks can improve one's work abilities.
Read this aloud:
I want to broaden my understanding of global politics.
Focus: broaden, understanding, global, politics
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Learning a new language can significantly broaden your horizons.
Focus: learning, language, significantly, broaden, horizons
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Our goal is to broaden our outreach to underserved communities.
Focus: goal, broaden, outreach, underserved, communities
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Think about the meaning of 'broaden' in the context of inclusion.
Consider 'broaden' in relation to expanding knowledge.
Focus on 'broaden' in terms of increasing the extent of something.
Read this aloud:
Could you explain how broadening our target audience might benefit the company?
Focus: broadening, benefit
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Describe a time when you had to broaden your perspective on a particular issue.
Focus: broaden, perspective, particular
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
How important is it for individuals to continually broaden their skill set in today's job market?
Focus: continually, broaden, skill set
Tu as dit :
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Focus on how 'broaden' is used in the context of increasing inclusivity.
Consider the connection between 'broaden' and gaining a global mindset.
Listen for what aspects of services are being expanded or increased.
Read this aloud:
Elaborate on how a commitment to lifelong learning can broaden your intellectual horizons and professional opportunities.
Focus: broaden, intellectual, horizons, professional, opportunities
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Discuss the ethical considerations involved when a company seeks to broaden its market reach into developing countries.
Focus: ethical, considerations, broaden, market, developing countries
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Propose a strategy for an academic institution to broaden its appeal to a wider international student body.
Focus: propose, strategy, academic, institution, broaden, international, student body
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
Contextual Learning
Always learn new words in context. Read sentences where 'broaden' is used to understand its meaning and common collocations. For example, 'broaden your horizons' or 'broaden your understanding'.
Sentence Construction
Practice creating your own sentences using 'broaden'. This helps solidify your understanding and allows you to use the word actively. Try: 'I want to broaden my vocabulary by reading more.'
Synonyms and Antonyms
Explore synonyms like 'expand', 'widen', 'extend', and 'enlarge'. Look for antonyms like 'narrow' or 'limit'. This builds a stronger semantic network around the word 'broaden'.
Part of Speech Focus
Remember that 'broaden' is a verb. While the prompt listed it as an adjective, it's typically used to describe an action of making something broad. The adjective form is 'broad'.
Exemple
Traveling is a great way to broaden your horizons and see the world differently.
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abnasccide
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absorb
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abstain
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abvictly
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abvitfy
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accelerate
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accept
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achieve
A2Atteindre un objectif ou accomplir une tâche avec succès par ses efforts.
acquiesce
C1Accepter quelque chose à contrecœur, sans protester. On est d'accord car on n'a pas le choix.
