a broad discretion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a broad discretion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is given a wide range of choices or flexibility in decision-making. Example: "The committee has a broad discretion to determine the eligibility of applicants based on their unique circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"There's a broad discretion for the sponsor to disqualify an entrant," said Ms. Goldstein, who has worked with Coca-Cola in the past.

The New York Times

Liberty's view is that a power to search that confers such a broad discretion as section 44 is almost bound to be misused.

The Guardian - Opinion

The principle that the state has a broad discretion in classification in the exercise of its power of regulation is constantly recognized by the decisions of this Court.

Cornell University

Icke has long been the subject of controversy in Australia, where the immigration department retains a broad discretion to deny or revoke visas on character grounds, and last toured the country in 2016.

The Guardian

Although we recognize that the trial court has a broad discretion in receiving or rejecting evidence along this line, we fail to see the relevancy of other acts which are unconnected with the incident being tried.

Harvard University

"It therefore held that States should enjoy a broad discretion in choosing how best to protect national security.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The new offence gives the immigration department secretary a broader discretion to determine what kind of "protected information" would be subject to the offence, and also greater powers in determining to whom it could be applied.

The Guardian

Some commentators suggest that one create a family limited partnership (FLP) or a limited liability company (LLC) inside of the spendthrift trust and additionally create discretionary so-called sprinkling or spray trusts that allow a trustee broad discretion in distributing assets to beneficiaries or other trust funds.

HuffPost

Swedish social workers have a relatively broad discretion [ 9] in their work, but have to follow political decisions [ 22].

BMC Public Health

Under traditional equal protection principles, a State retains broad discretion to classify as long as its classification has a reasonable basis.

Cornell University

The appeals court questioned the wisdom of a breakup, although it gave broad discretion to a lower court to consider any remedy, including a splitting up of the company.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a broad discretion", ensure the context clearly defines the area where this discretion applies. This avoids ambiguity and potential misuse of power.

Common error

Avoid using "a broad discretion" without specifying the limits or scope of that discretion. This can lead to misunderstandings and unintended consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a broad discretion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe the extent of authority or freedom granted to someone.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a broad discretion" is a noun phrase used to indicate a wide range of decision-making power or flexibility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples from various sources, most commonly News & Media and Academia. While not exceedingly frequent, the phrase is valuable for describing the scope of authority in legal, administrative, and managerial contexts. Consider specifying the limits of this discretion to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "extensive latitude" or "wide leeway". Ensure the context is clear when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discretionary power

Directly refers to the power to make decisions based on one's own judgment.

extensive latitude

Emphasizes the freedom to act within certain limits, similar to having broad discretion.

wide leeway

Highlights the flexibility and room for maneuverability granted to someone.

considerable flexibility

Focuses on the adaptability and range of choices available.

significant autonomy

Stresses the independence and self-governance in decision-making.

ample freedom

Underscores the unrestricted nature of the decision-making process.

substantial authority

Highlights the power and right to make decisions within a specific domain.

free rein

Implies complete freedom and control over a situation or decision.

full authorization

Indicates complete and unrestricted permission to act.

general mandate

Refers to a broad and encompassing authorization to carry out certain tasks.

FAQs

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

You can use "a broad discretion" to indicate that someone has considerable freedom to make decisions, as in "The manager has "a broad discretion" when handling customer complaints".

What phrases are similar to "a broad discretion"?

Alternatives include "extensive latitude", "wide leeway", or "considerable flexibility", which all suggest a significant degree of freedom in decision-making.

Is it better to say "broad discretion" or "wide discretion"?

"Broad discretion" is more common and idiomatic. While "wide discretion" is understandable, "broad" emphasizes the encompassing nature of the freedom granted.

In what contexts is "a broad discretion" typically used?

The phrase is often used in legal, administrative, and managerial contexts to describe the scope of authority given to an individual or entity. It suggests a high degree of autonomy within defined boundaries.