a broad command

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a broad command" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a directive or instruction that is general in nature and not specific to a particular task or detail. Example: "The manager issued a broad command to the team, encouraging them to innovate and think outside the box."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia Britannica

The New York Times - Arts

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Plosone

The Guardian - Opinion

The Economist

Encyclopedia Britannica

The New York Times

The New York Times - Travel

The Economist

Forbes

Huffington Post

History of the Human Sciences

The New York Times - Arts

The New York Times

The New York Times

Huffington Post

TechCrunch

Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics

Vice

Forbes

Science Magazine

WikiHow

WikiHow

The New York Times - Arts

Forbes

Huffington Post

History of the Human Sciences

The New York Times - Arts

The New York Times

TechCrunch

Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics

Vice

Forbes

Science Magazine

WikiHow

WikiHow

The New York Times - Arts

The New York Times - Health

The New York Times

The New York Times

The New York Times

Language Testing in Asia

Language Testing in Asia

BBC

The New York Times

The Guardian

The New York Times

The New York Times

The Guardian

The New York Times

The Economist

The New York Times

The Guardian

The New York Times

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

His keen powers of observation were enhanced by a rich imagination, a feeling for atmosphere, and a broad command of language.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He has an equally broad command of timbre and gives himself a lot of space to work with, often slowing tempos to a crawl.

The New York Times - Arts

In expanding the coverage of the ADA in 2008, Congress did not specifically identify obesity or any other medical condition as a covered disability.3 Nonetheless, Congress's broad command has led the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to revise its official ADA guidance substantially.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Congress's broad command also appears to have convinced federal courts to view the claims of morbidly obese individuals seeking the ADA's protections more favorably.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

A broad-stroke command-and-control-type EEZ land-use planning strategy was undertaken in Madre de Dios in the late 1990s, with landscape level land-use planning maps published in 2000 [39].

Plosone

From the eighth to the early 20th century, Muslims strove for a broad education (as commanded in the Qur'an), questioned doctrines, and were passionate about scientific advancements, political and social ideals and art.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Indonesia they command a broad cross-party consensus.

The Economist

Although this system was obviously corrupt, it commanded a broad public consensus, and there were few Italians who did not participate in some way in the system.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was unclear how actively environmental groups might fight to block Ms. Norton's nomination, but the Sierra Club, in particular, commands a broad membership and has shown a willingness to spend large amounts of money in such political battles.

The New York Times

The Lees' ancestral great house — an imposing H-shaped structure noted for its elegantly laid brickwork facade, high chimneys and a cube-shaped great room acknowledged as among the handsomest chambers in the United States — was built on a rise commanding a broad and strategic view of the Potomac, and was just a short walk along a farm road from my cabin in the woods.

The New York Times - Travel

Although the economy has grown, Mr García is unpopular (as was Mr Toledo).Stability is relativeHaving listed these problems, Martín Tanaka, a political scientist in Lima, points out that "Peru is quite a stable country" where economic policy commands a broad consensus.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose a verb that accurately describes the subject's action to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a broad command" when a specific instruction is needed; using it in such contexts creates ambiguity and can lead to misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a broad command" functions as a noun phrase, where "broad" modifies the noun "command". It describes a general or wide-ranging order, directive, or control, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a broad command" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a general directive or instruction. While Ludwig AI identified its usage as rare, the phrase is versatile and appears in various contexts, including news, academia, and general writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the generality of the command aligns with the intended message and avoid using it where specificity is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wide directive

Replaces "broad" with "wide", emphasizing the extensive scope of the command.

a general order

Substitutes both "broad" and "command" with synonyms, focusing on the non-specific nature of the instruction.

an extensive mandate

Replaces "command" with "mandate", highlighting the authority behind the instruction and emphasizes its breadth.

a comprehensive directive

Uses "comprehensive" to emphasize the thoroughness of the command and replaces "command" with directive.

a sweeping instruction

Replaces "broad" with "sweeping", emphasizing the wide range of the instruction.

a widespread order

Focuses on the extensive reach of the order, replacing "broad" with "widespread".

a far-reaching command

Highlights the extensive influence or impact of the command.

a generalized instruction

Emphasizes the non-specific nature of the instruction, using "generalized".

a blanket command

Emphasizes that the command applies to all cases.

an overarching decree

Indicates a high-level command that influences everything below it.

FAQs

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

You can use "a broad command" to describe a general order or directive. For example: "The CEO issued a broad command to increase sales by any means necessary."

What's an alternative to "a broad command" that emphasizes its scope?

Alternatives like "a wide directive" or "an extensive mandate" highlight the comprehensive nature of the instruction.

When is it inappropriate to use "a broad command"?

It's inappropriate when you need to convey a specific, detailed instruction. In such cases, use a direct and precise statement instead.

What's the difference between "a broad command" and "a specific instruction"?

"A broad command" is general and allows for flexibility, while "a specific instruction" is detailed and requires precise adherence. Consider which level of control is necessary in the context.