bridge the gap
To reduce the difference or disparity between two groups, places, or things.
writing-task-2speakingGlobalizationCulture and media
IELTS use
Useful in Task 2 to discuss solutions for inequality (digital divide, income gap) and in Speaking Part 3 about cultural understanding.
Examples
- Online education can help bridge the gap between urban and rural students.
- Governments must invest in infrastructure to bridge the gap between developed and developing regions.
Collocations
- bridge the gap
- Cultural exchanges help bridge the gap between nations.
Paraphrases
- reduce the disparity: More formal alternative for academic writing.
Common mistakes
- bridge the gap of to bridge the gap between. The correct preposition is 'between', not 'of'.