an overarching category

USAGE SUMMARY

"an overarching category" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a broad classification that encompasses various subcategories or elements. For example: "The study falls under an overarching category of environmental science." Alternative expressions include "a broad category" and "a general category."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Doing so makes it possible to show if a particular concept is used as an overarching category or is treated as a feature of a categorical conceptualization.

Journal of Organization Design

This helped identify where similar concepts were discussed together and where two or more codes could be collapsed into an overarching category.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

But Chaney argues that the idea of an overarching category of self-harm doesn't really work.

Vice

"Emily Dickinson is an overarching category that includes her writing and her biography," says Jane Wald, executive director of the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst.

Huffington Post

The major message of VCT campaigns, "to know your status", emerged as an overarching category in the analysis.

BMC Health Services Research

Constructive attitudes in our participants' accounts belong to an overarching category of coping mechanisms called problem-focused by Lazarus and Folkman [ 14].

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In the final phase, selective coding was undertaken, to identify a core or overarching category.

BMC Geriatrics

It has separate categories for raw milk and dairy products, but lumps pharmaceuticals into one overarching category for chemicals—a problem for models since TPP deals extensively with drugmakers' IP.

The Economist

An earnest effort was made to avoid redundant attributes and classify each attribute under only one overarching category, realizing that attributes and overarching categories are not mutually exclusive.

BMC Women's Health

The various categories were discussed and followed with a process of reflection and discussion ending in one overarching category and three sub categories.

BMC Nursing

Instead, his aim is to show that many terms traditionally placed in other categories, in fact, point to qualities or actions: linguistic usage (loquendi consuetudo) teaches us, for example, that quality is the overarching category.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an overarching category" when you need to emphasize that the category is broad and encompasses various subcategories or elements. It's useful for providing a high-level perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "an overarching category" when referring to highly specific or narrow classifications. This phrase is best suited for broader, more inclusive groupings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overarching category" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It is used to identify a broad classification or theme. Ludwig examples show its employment in academic and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overarching category" is a noun phrase used to describe a broad and inclusive classification. Grammatically correct and versatile, it is frequently used in science and news contexts and is best suited for formal and academic writing. As confirmed by Ludwig, it’s generally used in professional communication. Be mindful not to use it in overly specific contexts, and consider alternatives like "a broad category" or "a general classification" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a broad category

Focuses on the extensive range and scope of the category.

a comprehensive category

Emphasizes the completeness and inclusion of all relevant aspects within the category.

a broad classification

Emphasizes the wide scope of the classification.

a general classification

Highlights the general nature of the classification, lacking specific details.

a comprehensive classification

Focuses on the completeness and thoroughness of the classification.

an inclusive category

Highlights the category's ability to encompass a wide variety of elements.

a top-level category

Indicates the category is at the highest level of a hierarchical system.

a parent category

Indicates the category contains subcategories.

a dominant theme

Shifts focus from classification to a prevailing concept or idea.

a central concept

Emphasizes the core idea or principle that unites various elements.

FAQs

How to use "an overarching category" in a sentence?

You can use "an overarching category" to describe a broad classification that includes various subcategories. For example: "The study falls under "an overarching category" of environmental science."

What can I say instead of "an overarching category"?

You can use alternatives like "a broad category", "a general classification", or "a comprehensive category" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "an overarching category" or "a overarching category"?

"An overarching category" is the correct form. Use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What's the difference between "an overarching category" and "a specific category"?

"An overarching category" refers to a broad classification encompassing many subcategories, while "a specific category" refers to a narrow, well-defined classification.