In English writing, certain words appear less frequently but carry specific meanings that can enrich the sentence when used correctly. One such word is ‘breadths.’ While not an everyday term, ‘breadths’ has a clear meaning and can be used in different contexts, especially in writing that involves measurements, scope, or comparisons. Understanding how to use breadths in a sentence can help writers express ideas with more precision and variety, particularly in academic, descriptive, and technical writing. This topic explores how ‘breadths’ is used, its grammatical function, and examples of how it fits into sentences across different topics.
Understanding the Word Breadths
Definition and Grammatical Role
Breadths is the plural form of breadth, which refers to the distance or measurement from one side to the other of something; it indicates width. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the extent or scope of something, such as knowledge, opinion, or influence. As a noun, breadths functions as the subject or object of a sentence, depending on its position.
Common Synonyms
Depending on the context, some synonyms for ‘breadths’ include:
- Widths
- Extents
- Ranges
- Scopes
These synonyms may sometimes replace breadths in casual speech, but in more formal or specific writing, breadths remains the more accurate term.
Literal Usage of Breadths in a Sentence
When used literally, breadths refers to physical width measurements. It appears most often in contexts like construction, tailoring, engineering, architecture, and geography.
Examples of Literal Use
- The carpenter measured several different breadths of wood for the shelving unit.
- The tailor selected fabric in various breadths depending on the clothing design.
- Multiple breadths of land were cleared to build the new highway.
- The painter used canvases of different breadths for his abstract work.
- Engineers took the average of the channel’s depths and breadths to assess water flow.
In these examples, breadths emphasizes a physical measurement. It often appears with other dimension-related terms like lengths, heights, and depths.
Metaphorical Usage of Breadths in a Sentence
Beyond its literal meaning, breadths can be used metaphorically to describe the range or scope of abstract ideas. This usage is especially common in academic and descriptive writing.
Examples of Metaphorical Use
- She impressed the committee with the breadths of her knowledge across multiple disciplines.
- The artist explored the emotional breadths of human experience in his latest exhibit.
- The policy addresses the breadths of inequality present in society.
- His leadership style drew from the breadths of military and civilian experiences alike.
- The documentary captured the breadths of cultural traditions from different parts of the world.
Here, breadths no longer refers to width but to extent. It expresses how much ground something covers, intellectually or thematically.
Using Breadths in Comparison and Contrast
Breadths can also be useful when drawing comparisons or contrasting elements in writing. It adds nuance by emphasizing how wide-ranging two elements might be.
Examples of Comparative Sentences
- The breadths of their experiences in law and medicine made them ideal candidates for the committee.
- Compared to previous decades, the breadths of public opinion on the issue have significantly widened.
- While both scholars studied ancient languages, the breadths of their approaches differed greatly.
- She was admired for the breadths of her contributions to both science and education.
- The two books varied in the breadths of their perspectives on the environment.
Writers can use ‘breadths’ to show the diversity or range within a subject or experience. It helps to convey that something is not limited in scope.
Practical Tips for Using Breadths in Sentences
Ensure Subject-Verb Agreement
Because breadths is plural, the verb following it must also be plural when breadths is the subject. For example:
- Correct:The breadths of the river channelsaredifficult to measure precisely.
- Incorrect:The breadths of the river channelsisdifficult to measure precisely.
Use with Parallel Dimensions
In technical writing, breadths often appears alongside lengths and heights. Maintaining consistency in how these terms are listed is important:
- The blueprint specifies the lengths, breadths, and heights of each room.
- The sail was divided into panels with identical breadths and lengths.
Fit the Tone of the Context
Breadths tends to appear more in formal or academic language. For casual writing, widths might be preferred unless precision is needed. Consider the audience before using the word.
How Not to Use Breadths
Sometimes, writers misuse breadths by confusing it with similar-sounding or similarly spelled words. Here are a few pitfalls to avoid:
- Do not confuse it with breaths (inhaling and exhaling) a completely different meaning.
- Do not use it as a verb; breadths is a noun only.
- Avoid redundancy: wide breadths can be repetitive since breadth already implies width.
Why Using Breadths Matters in Writing
Choosing precise words like breadths over general terms adds depth and specificity to writing. It allows writers to communicate measurements and abstract concepts more effectively. Whether describing architectural designs or intellectual diversity, ‘breadths’ provides a unique way to express extent or width.
Using breadths in a sentence brings both clarity and richness to your writing. While it might not be a word used in everyday speech, it holds an important place in formal, technical, and metaphorical expression. From describing the physical dimensions of objects to expressing the vast scope of knowledge or experience, breadths is a versatile noun that deserves a spot in your vocabulary. Writers should aim to understand its meaning and apply it appropriately depending on context, tone, and intent. By practicing with examples and being mindful of grammar, anyone can incorporate this useful word with confidence.