a broad idea

USAGE SUMMARY

"a broad idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an idea that is wide in scope or contains a lot of individual concepts. For example, "We discussed the broad idea of sustainability and how it should be implemented in our workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"We went in with a broad idea of what we hoped it would be, but we always allowed ourselves to be open to new possibilities," said Bill Ross.

The New York Times

"The 70s in so many ways were far more dangerous, far more edgy, far more open to a broad idea of gender than today.

The Guardian - Music

They might have had a broad idea of the circumstances in which they could lose a bundle, but they would not have known how likely this was to happen.

The Economist

Arthur aimed to buck both trends by printing idiosyncratic, lengthy articles on off-center music and espousing a broad idea of counterculture that harked back to the 1960s, encompassing comics, urban ecology and antiwar activism.

The New York Times

In a 2008 blog post, Mr. Feld said, "Over the past six months, I've become an incredible believer in the appeal of social gaming as a broad idea and see it as a disrupting force in the overall gaming industry".

The New York Times

Even at its most straightforward, simply supplying a time, a place, and a broad idea of the merchandise — "Furniture," "Housewares," "150 pairs of size 8 shoes" — the stoop-sale sign illustrates the energy of the hustle.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Finally, the BBC represents a broader idea of "public space" that is currently not very fashionable politically.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Obviously we want to help," Mr. de Blasio said, adding that he was considering a broader idea to help nonprofit groups.

The New York Times

From the standpoint of your Christian faith, with its Calvinist influence, you also argue for a broader idea of what religion means.

The Guardian - Books

Only a pair of songs near the end of the album, "Party Time" and "That Feeling," appear to be reaching for a broader idea, trading strip-club throbbing for pop-ear breeze.

The New York Times - Arts

Lydia Howland's idea started when she noticed a demand for migrating workers, who might need what she describes as cultural translation for their CVs, but this grew into a broader idea about industry-specific style and tone.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a broad idea", ensure that you provide sufficient context for your audience to grasp the basic concept, even if you don't delve into specifics.

Common error

Avoid assuming your audience already possesses background information on "a broad idea". Start with fundamentals to ensure comprehension before exploring further details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a broad idea" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As supported by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and describes a general concept.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a broad idea" is a versatile noun phrase used to introduce a general concept or plan. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its frequency is common, especially in news, scientific, and general contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure you supply sufficient context for your audience to understand the core concept. While alternatives like "a general idea" or "a wide concept" exist, "a broad idea" effectively signals a starting point for further exploration and refinement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a general idea

Focuses on the generality or lack of specificity of the idea.

a wide concept

Emphasizes the extensive range or scope of the concept.

a comprehensive concept

Highlights the inclusiveness and completeness of the concept.

a sweeping notion

Suggests a wide-ranging and potentially oversimplified idea.

a grand scheme

Implies a large-scale and ambitious plan or idea.

an overall picture

Stresses the importance of understanding the whole situation or concept.

a basic understanding

Focuses on having a simple, fundamental grasp of the idea.

a rough outline

Suggests a preliminary and not fully developed idea.

a global view

Indicates a perspective that considers the whole world or a very large scale.

a bird's-eye view

Implies a comprehensive overview from a distant perspective.

FAQs

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

You can use "a broad idea" to introduce a general concept before delving into specific details. For example, "We started with "a broad idea" of sustainability before creating specific goals."

What's a good alternative to "a broad idea"?

Alternatives include "a general idea", "a wide concept", or "an overall picture", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

How does "a broad idea" differ from "a detailed plan"?

"A broad idea" refers to a general concept or understanding, while "a detailed plan" involves specific steps and actions. One precedes the other; you typically start with "a broad idea" and then develop it into "a detailed plan".

Is "a broad idea" the same as "a comprehensive strategy"?

Not exactly. "A broad idea" is a wide-ranging concept, whereas "a comprehensive strategy" is a detailed plan that includes many aspects. "A comprehensive strategy" typically comes after you have "a broad idea".