'a wide range of' vs 'widely ranging', #43 Verbal Review

[chitrangada.maitra]

Can someone please explain the correct usage of the following:

1. 'a wide range of' and 'widely ranging' (reference#43 verbal review, 2nd Edition)

Thanks,

[tim]

"a wide range of X" - some measurable aspect of X exhibits great variety; applicable to a lot of nouns

"widely ranging X" - X itself ranges widely; applicable mostly to things like cattle :)

[rakesh.id]

In the context of the above discussion, I have a query.

From Manhattan SC Guide Edition 5; Chapter 9: Idioms; p.168:

RIGHT: His widely ranging emotions are hard to deal with.
WRONG: His widely ranging accomplishments are impressive.

Could you please explain why the first sentence is right and the second is wrong? The two sentences seem to have the same structure.

Thnx

[tim]

the book itself makes the distinction clear with the parenthetical after the first example. what's troubling about his emotions is that they change over time. "widely ranging" is the way to express this. if we are referring to a fixed set of accomplishments, they don't "range"..