a broader idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a broader idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a notion or concept that is more general and encompasses a wider range of concepts, ideas, or topics. For example, "The speaker offered a broader idea of what constitutes success in the modern world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 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

Scaling is not just defined within individual enterprises but is promoting a broader idea about how to do things differently, with many in the international arena sharing what is they do rather than simply growing their own business.

The Guardian

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 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

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting a specific instance with a wider application, employ "a broader idea" to effectively highlight this distinction and guide your audience toward recognizing the general concept.

Common error

Avoid using "a broader idea" excessively; vary your language with synonyms like "a wider concept" or "a more comprehensive notion" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a broader idea" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It introduces a concept or understanding that is more general or encompassing than something previously mentioned, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a broader idea" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a more general or encompassing concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Science sources, indicating its broad applicability. When using "a broader idea", consider alternatives like "a wider concept" or "a more comprehensive notion" to avoid repetition and maintain clarity. Be sure to use it when you are ready to expand the scope of the discussion or offer a wider perspective on a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wider concept

Focuses on the extent or scope of the concept being considered.

a more comprehensive notion

Emphasizes the completeness and thoroughness of the idea.

a larger perspective

Highlights the viewpoint and how much it encompasses.

an expanded understanding

Stresses the improved or increased level of comprehension.

a general concept

Indicates a move to a more unspecific and all-encompassing idea.

a universal theme

Signifies an idea that applies across many different contexts.

an overarching principle

Implies a fundamental rule or guideline applicable in multiple situations.

a holistic view

Highlights that all parts are interconnected and can’t exist without each other.

a more inclusive thought

Focuses on incorporating more elements or perspectives.

a macro idea

Implies a large-scale or high-level concept.

FAQs

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

You can use "a broader idea" to introduce a more general concept, as in "The book aims to give readers a broader idea of the history of the Roman Empire."

What's the difference between "a broader idea" and "a general idea"?

"A broader idea" implies an expansion from something specific, whereas "a general idea" simply suggests a lack of detail. For example, you might start with a specific example and then move to "a broader idea", but a general idea may not require any prior specifics.

Which is correct, "a broader idea" or "a wide idea"?

"A broader idea" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Wide idea" isn't idiomatic. Using broader emphasizes scope and inclusivity.

What can I say instead of "a broader idea"?

You can use alternatives like "a wider concept", "a more comprehensive notion", or "a larger perspective", depending on the context.