Across the board

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Across the board" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something applies to all cases or instances without exception. Example: "The new policy will result in salary increases across the board for all employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Across the board.

The New York Times

"Across the board we're seeing improvement".

The New York Times

"Across the board, nothing is screamingly attractive".

The New York Times

Across the board, American institutions have failed.

The New Yorker

Across the board, enough.

The Guardian - Books

Across the board they were great.

BBC

"It's across the board".

The New York Times

Wrong across the board.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Does "sharing" mean across-the-board cuts?

The New York Times

He's no across-the-board liberal.

The New York Times

Get across-the-board involvement.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Across the board", ensure that the context clearly defines the scope to which it applies. For instance, specify whether it refers to all departments within a company, all members of a team, or all aspects of a project. This prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "Across the board" when there are known exceptions or variations. Overstating universality can undermine credibility if specific exceptions exist. Instead, qualify your statement with phrases like "generally" or "mostly" to acknowledge nuances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Across the board" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something applies to all members of a group or all aspects of a situation without exception. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Across the board" is a versatile adjective phrase that signifies universality and comprehensiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and frequently used in news, business, and general contexts. While its usage is widespread, remember to specify the scope to avoid ambiguity and to acknowledge any potential exceptions. Alternatives such as "universally" or "without exception" can be used depending on the desired nuance. By understanding its function and context, you can effectively incorporate "Across the board" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Across all categories

Specifies that the application spans different classifications.

Without exception

Highlights the absence of any exclusions.

In every instance

Emphasizes the consistent application in all occurrences.

Universally

Single word alternative denoting something that is done or applied to all.

For each and every one

Highlights the individual application to each member of a group.

For one and all

Emphasizes the equal application to everyone.

In all respects

Focuses on the comprehensive nature of the application.

On all fronts

Suggests a comprehensive approach across multiple areas of activity.

Throughout

Indicates something happening or being applied during the entirety of a process or area.

In totality

Emphasizes the all-encompassing nature.

FAQs

How can I use "Across the board" in a sentence?

You can use "Across the board" to indicate that something applies to everyone or everything within a particular group or situation. For example, "The company implemented salary increases "across the board" for all employees".

What are some alternatives to using "Across the board"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "universally", "without exception", or "in every instance".

Is it correct to say "Across the boards" instead of "Across the board"?

While "Across the boards" might be used in specific contexts (e.g., referring to multiple governing boards), "Across the board" is the standard idiom for indicating something applies to everything or everyone.

What's the difference between "Across the board" and "Overall"?

"Across the board" implies a uniform application to all members or aspects of a group, while "overall" suggests a general or average effect. For instance, "the company is doing well overall" versus "the company increased salaries "across the board"".