a broad church

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a broad church" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a group or organization that is inclusive and accommodates a wide range of opinions or beliefs. Example: "The political party has always been a broad church, welcoming members with diverse viewpoints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a broad church.

The Guardian

"First – The BBC is a broad church.

Independent

Or they're a broad church.

The Guardian - Opinion

We're a broad church here.

The Guardian - Sport

"Good" is a broad church.

The Guardian

Feminism is a broad church.

The Guardian - Film

Theatre is 'A broad church.

The Guardian

Reading is a broad church.

The Guardian - Opinion

The EU is a broad church.

The Guardian

The party is a broad church.

The Guardian

So, things: it's a broad church.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an organization or group, use "a broad church" to emphasize its inclusivity and acceptance of diverse viewpoints. This metaphor is particularly effective when discussing political parties, movements, or communities.

Common error

Avoid using "a broad church" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. While effective, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "inclusive", "diverse", or "comprehensive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a broad church" functions as a metaphorical noun phrase, typically used to describe an organization, political party, or movement that encompasses a wide range of views, ideologies, or members. It conveys the idea of inclusivity and tolerance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a broad church" is a common metaphor used to describe an organization or group that is inclusive and encompasses a wide range of views or members. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various reputable sources. It's most frequently found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. When using this phrase, consider its metaphorical nature and ensure it accurately reflects the inclusivity of the entity you are describing. While the phrase is generally acceptable, overuse should be avoided to maintain writing clarity and impact. Alternatives such as "diverse coalition" or "inclusive group" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

big tent

Uses a different metaphor to convey a similar sense of wide inclusion.

inclusive organization

Focuses on the inclusive aspect of the group, moving away from the religious metaphor.

wide-ranging group

Uses simpler language to express the broad scope of the group.

diverse coalition

Highlights the variety of members or viewpoints within the group.

tolerant community

Stresses the characteristic of tolerance within a group accepting different views.

umbrella organization

Emphasizes the role of the group as a covering entity for different subgroups.

multi-faceted organization

Highlights the many different aspects or functions of the group.

ecumenical movement

Similar to broad church, but more specifically refers to different branches of christianity getting together.

pluralistic society

Shifts the focus to a societal level, emphasizing acceptance of multiple viewpoints.

comprehensive approach

Changes the context to a method or strategy that covers a wide range of elements.

FAQs

How can I use "a broad church" in a sentence?

You can use "a broad church" to describe a group or organization that welcomes a wide range of views or members. For example, "The political party is known as "a broad church" because it includes members from various ideological backgrounds."

What does it mean for a political party to be "a broad church"?

When a political party is described as "a broad church", it means that it encompasses a wide spectrum of political views and ideologies within its membership. This can lead to internal debates but also allows the party to appeal to a larger electorate.

What are some alternatives to saying "a broad church"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "diverse coalition", "inclusive group", or "umbrella organization" to convey the idea of a group with varied members or views.

Is the phrase "a broad church" formal or informal?

The phrase "a broad church" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more commonly found in news articles and political commentary, where it serves as a concise way to describe an inclusive entity. It's acceptable in professional communication too.