a broad example

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a broad example" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an example that is general or wide-ranging, rather than specific or detailed. Example: "To illustrate the concept of renewable energy, let me provide a broad example of solar power applications."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For example, if students are going to tour the building for the first time, ask they what they expect to see, what they are wondering about, etc. Start with a broad example or story.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In the upper social strata, many marriages still result from private matchmaking; in a broader example of this, professional matchmakers scour the graduation albums of top women's colleges and call alumnae at home to introduce them to bachelors.

The New York Times

In July, Trump suggested the United States may not in all cases defend tiny NATO member state Montenegro, referring to the country as a broader example rather than commenting on a specific threat.

The Washington Post

A broader example is the nearly $2 billion worth of blank CDs sold last year, at least a few of which were not used to back up hard drives.

Forbes

The idea is that the videos picked will be examples that represent a broader example of when the DMCA is used in an abusive fashion, and if they make it to court, a win on the video creator's part could help to establish legal precedents and provide guidelines for the larger YouTube community to follow in the future.

TechCrunch

It's worth looking at closely as a case study in how polling data can be used selectively and manipulatively -- and as a broader example of what's wrong with today's narrow, ill-informed debate over fiscal policy.

Huffington Post

The Peter Peterson Foundation has released its second monthly "Fiscal Confidence Index". It's worth looking at closely as a case study in how polling data can be used selectively and manipulatively -- and as a broader example of what's wrong with today's narrow, ill-informed debate over fiscal policy.

HuffPost

There is a broader lesson from this example that is instructive for understanding the dynamics of civic participation.

The Washington Post

Although the methods presented have broad applications, an extensive example exploring various measures of technological similarity based on the USPTO patent classification system is included.

Research Policy

Hyman felt that it was necessary to teach attendees with a "case-based approach... concrete examples as a first step toward extracting broad examples... (giving) the benefit of context" to the learning experience.

Wikipedia

People are shown a series of short statements about aspects of a broader issue for example, "Uber drivers should need the same licenses cab drivers do"—and asked to click to signal that they agree or disagree.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a broad example", ensure that the example adequately covers the general concept you are trying to illustrate. Provide sufficient context to make the connection clear to your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "a broad example" that is too vague or unrelated to the main topic. This can confuse readers and weaken your argument. Always ensure the example is relevant and illustrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a broad example" functions as a noun phrase used to introduce a general illustration or instance of a concept. Ludwig indicates that it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a broad example" serves as a noun phrase to introduce a general illustration of a concept, suitable for various contexts and demonstrating a neutral register. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively rare, its purpose is to provide a general understanding, setting the stage for more detailed explanations. Alternatives like "a general illustration" or "a wide-ranging instance" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a general illustration

Focuses on the illustrative aspect while maintaining the generality.

a wide-ranging instance

Emphasizes the extensive scope of the example.

a comprehensive case

Highlights the thoroughness of the example.

an extensive demonstration

Focuses on the demonstrative aspect while maintaining the generality.

a sweeping illustration

Conveys a sense of breadth and inclusiveness in the example.

a generic example

Indicates a typical or representative example.

a typical case

Highlights the representative nature of the example.

a common instance

Emphasizes the frequency or typicality of the example.

a representative illustration

Focuses on the example's capacity to represent a larger group or category.

a large-scale instance

Emphasizes the magnitude or scope of the example.

FAQs

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

You can use "a broad example" to introduce a general illustration of a concept. For instance, "To understand the impact of climate change, consider "a broad example" of rising sea levels affecting coastal communities."

What are some alternatives to "a broad example"?

Alternatives include "a general illustration", "a wide-ranging instance", or "a comprehensive case". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "a broad example" or a specific example?

It depends on your purpose. "A broad example" is useful for introducing general concepts, while a specific example is better for detailed analysis or demonstration.

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

It's inappropriate when you need to provide precise data or detailed information. In such cases, a specific, well-defined example would be more suitable.