Cool MateExtensive vs Wide
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Extensive
Top 1,000 (very common)B2adjective
Wide
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
| Extensive | Wide | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈstensɪv/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈstensɪv/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/waɪd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/waɪd/"]/ |
| Meaning | very large in size or amount | Something that has a lot of space from one side to the other. |
| Example | The company conducted extensive research before launching the new product. | The river is wide enough for boats to pass through easily. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | extensive research, extensive experience, extensive coverage, extensive network, extensive training | be, seem, become, extremely, fairly, very, far and wide, be, go, grow, extremely, really, very, with |
| Antonyms | limited, narrow, restricted | narrow, tight |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'intensive' which means having a high degree or level., Using 'extensive' in informal contexts where simpler words like 'big' might be more appropriate. | 'Wide' confused with 'broad', thinking they mean exactly the same., Using 'wider' incorrectly in comparisons where 'more wide' is mistakenly used., Saying 'widest' when referring to multiple items instead of using 'the widest'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'extensive' when describing a large range or variety, especially in formal contexts like reports or academic writing. Avoid in casual conversations. | Use 'wide' to describe physical dimensions, such as the width of an object or area. It can also describe more abstract concepts like 'wide range of options'. Avoid using in overly formal contexts. |
Frequently asked questions: Extensive vs Wide
What's the difference between Extensive and Wide?
Extensive: very large in size or amount Wide: Something that has a lot of space from one side to the other.
Which is more advanced: Extensive and Wide?
Extensive is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Extensive and Wide the same CEFR level?
Extensive: B2, Wide: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Extensive and Wide?
Extensive: adjective, Wide: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Extensive: The company conducted extensive research before launching the new product. Wide: The river is wide enough for boats to pass through easily.
Can I use Extensive and Wide interchangeably?
Not always. Extensive and Wide are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.