across a spectrum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "across a spectrum" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a range of different things, such as ideas, opinions, or characteristics that vary in degree or type. Example: "The study examined the responses of participants across a spectrum of age groups to understand their preferences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They range across a spectrum of being either grudgingly welcome or hostile towards immigrants".

The Guardian

Leaders across a spectrum of industries are already availing themselves of drone-based data.

Harvard Business Review

And finally have FUN, as you are inspired by diverse achievers across a spectrum of industries.

Columbia University

Here, pictured in The Center, Dr. Chupp sees patients across a spectrum of airway diseases.

Yale University

Advances in nanotechnology will lead to improvements in capabilities across a spectrum of applications.

Advances in Polymer Nanocomposites Types and Applications

The NSQIP database enables measurement of postoperative outcomes across a spectrum of practice settings.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

And dissent ranges across a spectrum from openly challenging injustice, to subversive dissent, operating within the system.

The Guardian

"The iPad critically underlines the need to develop big ideas that work across a spectrum of consumer engagement," he says.

The Guardian

I have come across a spectrum of charities recently where TOIL is deeply engrained in the culture.

The Guardian

The Sagentia team included professionals across a spectrum of disciplines: physicists, electrical and mechanical engineers, bioengineers, and software developers.

MIT Technology Review

Just like traditional technologies, green alternatives exhibit a range of performance across a spectrum of price points.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "across a spectrum" to indicate a broad range of possibilities, opinions, or qualities. It adds nuance and sophistication to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "across a spectrum" too frequently in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using alternatives like "in a range of" or "covering a variety of" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "across a spectrum" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to describe the extent or scope of something. Ludwig examples show it modifying nouns and verbs to indicate a wide range or variety.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "across a spectrum" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote a wide range or variety. As shown by Ludwig, it's considered grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While useful for indicating diversity, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "across a range" for stylistic variation. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and widespread applicability in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

across a range

Simple and direct way to express diversity.

across a variety

Emphasizes diversity and range, slightly less formal.

across a spectra

Technical term, suitable for scientific contexts.

across a breadth

Highlights the comprehensive scope or width.

across a gamut

Implies a complete or extensive range.

across a mix

Focuses on the combination of different elements.

across a continuum

Suggests a gradual progression or continuous scale.

across a spread

Highlights the distribution over an area or group.

across a band

Useful in contexts involving frequencies or bandwidths.

across a frequency

Suitable for contexts discussing rates or recurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "across a spectrum" in a sentence?

The phrase "across a spectrum" is used to indicate a wide range or variety. For example, "The company offers services "across a spectrum" of industries".

What can I say instead of "across a spectrum"?

You can use alternatives like "across a range", "covering a variety", or "spanning a gamut depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "across a spectra" instead of "across a spectrum"?

While "spectrum" is singular and "spectra" is plural, "across a spectra" is less common and typically reserved for technical or scientific contexts where multiple distinct spectra are being discussed. In most cases, ""across a spectrum"" is the preferred usage.

What's the difference between "across a range" and "across a spectrum"?

Both phrases indicate variety, but "across a spectrum" often implies a more continuous or graduated range, similar to the colors in a visual spectrum. "Across a range" is more general and can refer to a collection of distinct items.