a lack of breadth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lack of breadth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deficiency in variety, scope, or comprehensiveness in a particular context, such as knowledge, experience, or perspective. Example: "The report was criticized for a lack of breadth in its analysis of the issue, failing to consider multiple viewpoints."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The percentage of students witnessing 1, >3 and >5 examples is given for each of the 16 lesions and demonstrates that there was not only a lack of breadth but also of depth to the students' exposure.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It would be hard to fault the festival for a lack of stylistic breadth.

The New York Times - Arts

They perceived a lack of depth and breadth in their theoretical teaching knowledge, leaving them insufficient in sorting out arguments for competent preceptorship: "…be able to critically examine various educational theories as well as teaching and learning models and argue for its importance in clinical training settings".

BMC Nursing

First the technical analysts argued just a few weeks ago that the lack of breadth in the market was a baleful omen: A market that is limited in scope, they warned, will end badly.

Forbes

This is complicated further by a lack of understanding of the breadth of substrate and inhibitor specificities for the DASH family.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

IGN commented that the existing content had a good chance of going "stale", while GameSpy stated that the game's "lack of breadth" was a "serious shortcoming".

Wikipedia

It just wasn't possible in that short time, even with lots of individual encouragement (which anyway is at a premium in a university), to make up for the lack of breadth in her earlier school and home life.

The Guardian - Opinion

An African first Wisdom of crowds Woman on the edge High notes and curlicues Reprints Related items Climate change: When glaciers start movingApr 8th 2009But the price of breadth is a lack of depth that may leave curious readers frustrated.

The Economist

It's just that pesky things like an outdated User Interface, sub-par web browsing and lack of breadth in third-party apps – those pesky apps – give it a bad name.

TechCrunch

To many visitors, the lack of breadth in Los Angeles theaters comes as a surprise, given the huge number of actors and writers, both established and fledgling.

The New York Times

It is not so much the detail of these positions that matters, but the lack of breadth, ambition or drive overall.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lack of breadth", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific area or aspect is lacking in scope or variety. For example, "The curriculum suffers from a lack of breadth in its coverage of historical events."

Common error

Avoid using "a lack of breadth" as a vague criticism. Instead, specify the missing elements or areas that need expansion. For example, instead of saying "The presentation had a lack of breadth", specify "The presentation lacked breadth in its analysis of market trends."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lack of breadth" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a deficiency or absence of comprehensive scope or variety.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lack of breadth" effectively communicates a deficiency in scope or range. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and is mostly used in neutral to formal contexts such as science, news, and business. When using the phrase, it's essential to specify what aspect lacks breadth, avoiding vague criticisms. Consider alternatives like "narrow scope" or "limited range" to provide a more precise description. While not extremely frequent, its precise and versatile nature makes it a valuable addition to the writer's toolbox.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

narrow scope

Emphasizes the limited extent or range of something.

limited range

Highlights the restricted variety or extent.

restricted scope

Similar to "narrow scope", but with a slightly more formal tone.

insufficient scope

Indicates that the scope is not adequate or enough.

limited perspective

Focuses on a restricted viewpoint or understanding.

narrow focus

Highlights a concentration on a small area or aspect.

superficiality

Suggests a lack of depth or thoroughness.

incompleteness

Emphasizes that something is not whole or finished.

deficiency in scope

A more formal way of saying "narrow scope".

want of variety

Highlights the absence of diversity or variation.

FAQs

What does "a lack of breadth" mean?

The phrase "a lack of breadth" indicates a deficiency in the scope, range, or variety of something. It suggests that the subject in question is too narrow or limited in its coverage or perspective.

How can I use "a lack of breadth" in a sentence?

You can use "a lack of breadth" to describe various shortcomings. For instance, "The research suffered from "a lack of breadth" in its sample selection" or "The course demonstrates "a lack of breadth" in its approach to the subject matter."

What are some alternatives to "a lack of breadth"?

Some alternatives to "a lack of breadth" include "narrow scope", "limited range", or "insufficient scope". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How does "a lack of breadth" differ from "a lack of depth"?

"A lack of breadth" refers to a limited scope or range of coverage, while "a lack of depth" indicates a superficial understanding or analysis. One concerns the extent of coverage, the other the level of detail. Sometimes both are connected and both are required.