nation wide (nationwide)

If you mean "across the whole country," write nationwide as one word. Writing nation wide (two words) is a spacing error in contemporary English.

Quick answer

Use nationwide (one word) for the adjective or adverb meaning "throughout the nation." Avoid nation wide (two words); nation-wide with a hyphen is dated and rarely needed today.

Adjective: a nationwide survey. Adverb: The policy applies nationwide.
When in doubt, prefer the closed compound-nationwide-unless you must reproduce historical text or follow a specific house style.

Core explanation

"Nationwide" is a closed compound formed from nation + wide. It signals scope-coverage or reach across the country-and functions as either an adjective or an adverb without changing spelling.

As an attributive adjective: a nationwide program.
As a predicative adjective or adverb: Support is nationwide; The show aired nationwide.
The modern standard spelling does not split into "nation wide."

Spacing - why "nation wide" is wrong

Modern English has fused several scope compounds (worldwide, statewide, countywide). Writing "nation wide" separates parts that have become a single lexical item. The simple fix is to remove the space: nation wide → nationwide.

Quick edit: search for "nation wide" and replace with "nationwide."
Dictionary entries and current style guides list nationwide as one word.
If you see "nation-wide" in archival text, treat it as a historical variant, not the modern norm.

Hyphenation - when (if ever) to use a hyphen

Nation-wide appears in older sources. Today, most style guides and dictionaries prefer nationwide. Only keep a hyphen if you must reproduce original punctuation or follow a house style that demands it.

Dated form: nation-wide. Prefer nationwide for new writing.
Hyphenate only for clarity in an unusual construction or to match quoted material.

Grammar - part of speech and placement

Nationwide keeps the same form whether it's used before a noun or after a verb. It does not take plural or comparative endings; use supporting words for comparisons (e.g., more widespread nationwide coverage).

Attributive: nationwide study, nationwide policy.
Predicative/adverbial: The law applies nationwide; Coverage is nationwide.
Comparison: use phrases like more widespread nationwide coverage rather than creating new comparatives.

Real usage - copy-ready examples

Three compact examples per context. Swap subjects or dates to fit your sentence.

Work
- The company announced a nationwide hiring freeze effective July 1.
- We achieved nationwide distribution after expanding our logistics partner network.
- The marketing team launched a nationwide ad campaign with a segmented rollout.
School
- A nationwide survey of high school seniors examined college application trends.
- The study used a nationwide sample to ensure representative results.
- He analyzed nationwide data on literacy rates for his thesis.
Casual
- That video went nationwide after several influencers shared it.
- She has a nationwide following on social media.
- The challenge went nationwide in a week.

Try your own sentence

Test the full sentence rather than the isolated phrase. Context reveals whether you mean scope across the country (nationwide) or a different idea (national).

Examples - wrong → right pairs and quick rewrites

Common errors and corrected versions. Rewrites offer formal, concise, and casual tones you can drop into your text.

Wrong: The charity ran a nation wide campaign to raise funds.
Right: The charity ran a nationwide campaign to raise funds.
Wrong: We launched a nation wide recall last month.
Right: We launched a nationwide recall last month.
Wrong: He received nation wide recognition for his research.
Right: He received nationwide recognition for his research.
Wrong: Their nation wide policy covers all employees.
Right: Their nationwide policy covers all employees.
Wrong: The product gained nation wide traction after the review.
Right: The product gained nationwide traction after the review.
Wrong: The news story has gained nation wide attention.
Right: The news story has gained nationwide attention.
Rewrite (formal): A nationwide survey was conducted to assess public opinion on the proposal.
Rewrite (concise): The program has nationwide support.
Rewrite (casual): The meme went nationwide after going viral.
Rewrite (active): Nationwide stores began selling the new model on Monday.
Rewrite (passive): Nationwide coverage was provided by three major networks.

Rewrite help - templates and quick checklist

Pick a template, replace bracketed parts, and tweak tense or detail.

Work template: [Company/Team] announced a nationwide [action/initiative] to [purpose].
School template: A nationwide [study/survey] of [group] found that [result].
Casual template: [Thing/person] went nationwide after [event].
Editing checklist: 1) Replace "nation wide" → "nationwide." 2) Remove hyphens unless quoting. 3) Read the sentence aloud to check flow.
Editable quick fix: Replace "nation wide" with "nationwide" and choose a concise verb (launched, began, spread).

Memory trick and quick editing checks

Think of similar closed compounds: worldwide, statewide, countywide. If one word works for those, it usually works for nationwide too.

Mnemonic: nation + wide fused = nationwide (like worldwide).
Quick checklist: Search, replace, remove hyphens unless quoting, read aloud.
When uncertain, prefer the current dictionary form: nationwide.

Similar mistakes and related compounds

Writers who split nationwide often split other compounds. Apply the same fix: close up common scope compounds or consult your style guide.

everyday (one word) vs every day (two words) - meaning differs.
worldwide - not world wide.
statewide - not state wide.
online - not on line.
Follow your house style for edge cases (historical reproductions may keep older forms).

FAQ

Is "nation wide" correct?

No. The correct contemporary form is nationwide as one word. "Nation wide" is a spacing error.

Should I ever write "nation-wide" with a hyphen?

Only when reproducing historical text or following a specific house style that requires it. For new writing, prefer nationwide.

Can "nationwide" be an adverb and an adjective?

Yes. Use it before a noun (a nationwide program) and after verbs or linking verbs (The program is nationwide; The show aired nationwide).

How do I fix "The news story has gained nation wide attention"?

Replace the two words with the closed compound: "The news story has gained nationwide attention." For a tighter edit: "The story gained nationwide attention."

When should I choose "national" instead of "nationwide"?

"National" describes relation to the nation (a national holiday, a national policy). "Nationwide" emphasizes reach or distribution across the country (a nationwide network, nationwide coverage). Choose based on relation versus scope.

Need a fast fix?

Replace "nation wide" with "nationwide," run a quick read-aloud, and use the templates above to produce a polished sentence for work, school, or casual writing in seconds.