a broad swath of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a broad swath of" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to refer to a large selection of something, or a wide range of choices, opinions, or circumstances. For example: "The court's decision affected a broad swath of people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Plus, they come from a broad swath of the country.

The New Yorker

Both policies will affect a broad swath of workers.

University of California, Berkeley

As a result, the king wielded considerable clout across a broad swath of the political spectrum.

The New York Times

Indeed, the government's involvement in a broad swath of industries will continue to linger.

The New York Times

Tuesday's blackout affected a broad swath of India that encompassed about 670 million people.

The New York Times

In recent months, the board has entertained approaches from a broad swath of suitors.

The New York Times

Wages, adjusted for inflation, have stagnated for a broad swath of workers for over a decade.

The New York Times

It's rare to find an issue on which such a broad swath of Americans agrees.

The New York Times

Actors in the spots represent a broad swath of ethnicities, ages, and socioeconomic classes.

The New York Times

It was an encouraging start to the year for a broad swath of the nation's retailers.

The New York Times

Still, SeaWorld is trying to attract a broad swath of visitors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a broad swath of" to indicate a wide range or variety of something, ensuring the context supports the idea of inclusivity and extensiveness. For example, "The new policy affected a broad swath of employees."

Common error

Avoid using "a broad swath of" when describing something specific or limited. This phrase is most effective when emphasizing the widespread or general nature of the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a broad swath of" functions as a determiner, modifying a noun to indicate a wide or extensive range of something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across diverse contexts, illustrating its role in specifying scope.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a broad swath of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a wide range or variety, particularly when emphasizing the extent or scope of something. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound and frequently appears in various contexts, including news, academic writing, and formal business communications. When using this phrase, ensure the context supports the idea of inclusivity and extensiveness, and avoid overuse in narrow or specific situations. Alternatives such as "a wide range of" or "a diverse selection of" can be considered for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wide array of

Emphasizes the variety within the selection, rather than the extent of coverage.

a diverse range of

Highlights the diversity and variety present in the selection.

a considerable portion of

Focuses on the size and significance of the part being considered.

a significant segment of

Underscores the importance and impact of the group or area.

a substantial section of

Emphasizes the physical or conceptual extent of the covered portion.

a large segment of

Focuses on the considerable size of the group or area.

an extensive selection of

Emphasizes the breadth and comprehensiveness of the items available.

a wide cross-section of

Highlights the representation of different groups or categories within the selection.

a comprehensive set of

Implies a complete and thorough collection or group.

a sweeping range of

Indicates a comprehensive and all-encompassing scope.

FAQs

How can I use "a broad swath of" in a sentence?

Use "a broad swath of" to describe a large range or selection of items, people, or ideas. For example, "The new regulations will impact "a broad swath of businesses"."

What's a good substitute for "a broad swath of"?

Alternatives include "a wide range of", "a diverse selection of", or "a significant portion of", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more correct to say "a broad swath of" or "a wide swath of"?

Both "a broad swath of" and "a wide swath of" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Broad" typically emphasizes inclusivity and variety, while "wide" emphasizes physical extent, but the difference is subtle and often negligible.

Can "a broad swath of" be used to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, "a broad swath of" can effectively describe abstract concepts, such as "a broad swath of opinions" or "a broad swath of ideas", to indicate a wide variety of perspectives.