a slightly broader

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly broader" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to describe something that is wider in scope or range compared to something else, often in a comparative context. Example: "The new policy provides a slightly broader perspective on employee benefits than the previous one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead, it should identify a slightly broader set of topics and pull the audience in so they'll want to discuss the details.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

marx and SAOTrace simulations predict a very similar PSF shape, but for most energies the SAOTrace model predicts a slightly broader PSF.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It's the kind of look that works well on a slightly broader frame and, almost more than any other vest, seems to demand extremely good arm definition.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Russia has a competing proposal: to extend the military observer mission under a slightly broader mandate, allowing it some political role.

The New York Times

Russia has put forth a competing proposal: to extend the military observer mission under a slightly broader mandate, allowing it some political role.

The New York Times

A decade earlier, in the first quarter of 1996, there were slightly fewer than 1,500 jobs in investment banking and securities, a slightly broader definition of jobs that the bureau used then.

The New York Times

"I didn't say in my evidence AGD provided the letter; I said the letter had been provided to the review, so it was a slightly broader statement that needed to be corrected," Jones said.

The Guardian

The report predicts that global average temperatures would rise by between 1.1C and 6.4C (2-11.5F) by 2100 - a slightly broader range than that shown in the 2001 figures.

The Guardian

A comparison was made with PNIPAAM which seemed to indicate a slightly broader LCST transition for the two new polymers, however no conclusions could be firmly established on this as the molecular weights of the polymers were not measured.

Polymer

The public's low regard for O.P.S is one reason Mayor Daley reorganized it in 2007, giving it a new name, a slightly broader mandate and moving it under mayoral control, rather than the superintendent's.

The New York Times

With 12 of the 32 teams — including Argentina, France, Germany, Spain and the host nation, South Africa — set to wear shirts with the Adidas logo on them, that company has a slightly broader World Cup presence than Nike.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slightly broader", ensure the comparison is clear. Specify what the subject is broader than to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The new definition offers "a slightly broader" understanding of the concept than the previous one."

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly broader" when the difference is actually significant. Overstating the subtlety can undermine your credibility. If the difference is substantial, use phrases like "a considerably broader" or "a significantly broader".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly broader" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that something has a range or scope that is marginally more extensive than something else. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from varied sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

39%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slightly broader" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that indicates a small increase in scope or range. Ludwig AI's analysis, along with numerous examples, demonstrates its prevalence in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the comparison is clear and avoid overstating the difference. While alternatives exist, "a slightly broader" offers a precise way to convey a nuanced comparison. The phrase is appropriate for formal, scientific and neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat wider

Indicates a degree of wideness but not a large amount.

marginally wider

Emphasizes that the wideness is small or insignificant.

a touch wider

Suggests only a small increase in width.

a shade wider

Similar to "a touch wider", implying a small difference.

slightly more extensive

Shifts the focus to coverage or scope rather than literal width.

a bit more expansive

Implies an increase in detail or coverage.

somewhat more inclusive

Changes the focus to indicate that more items are included.

mildly more comprehensive

Shifts the focus to completeness and thoroughness.

barely wider

Indicates the width is at its minimum.

hardly broader

The change is so minimal it's almost not there.

FAQs

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

Use "a slightly broader" to indicate a small increase in scope or range. For example: "The revised edition includes "a slightly broader range" of topics than the first edition".

What are some alternatives to "a slightly broader"?

Alternatives include "somewhat wider", "marginally wider", or "a touch wider". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of difference you want to convey.

Which is correct, "a slightly broader" or "a little broader"?

Both "a slightly broader" and "a little broader" are grammatically correct. "A slightly broader" is often preferred in more formal writing, while "a little broader" may be used in more informal contexts.

What's the difference between "a slightly broader" and "a significantly broader"?

"A slightly broader" indicates a small difference in scope or range, while "a significantly broader" indicates a much larger, more noticeable difference.