an overarching plan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overarching plan" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a comprehensive or all-encompassing strategy that guides actions or decisions. Example: "The organization developed an overarching plan to improve its sustainability practices across all departments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

He said the attacks had been part of an "overarching" plan to rid parts of Bosnia of non-Serbs.

The Guardian

Mr Groome said all the attacks were part of an "overarching" plan hatched by Karadzic and former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic to ethnically cleanse large parts of Bosnia of non-Serbs and carve out a "Greater Serbia" from the ruins of the former Yugoslavia.

Independent

Groome said the documentary evidence pointed to an "overarching" plan, set out in a list of six war aims drawn up by Mladic, aimed at ethnic cleansing hundreds of thousands of Muslims and Croats and carving out an ethnically pure Serb homeland in western and eastern Bosnia.

The Guardian

It is the prosecution's contention that all the killing was part of an "overarching" plan, in the form of six war aims drawn up by Mladic, a former Yugoslav army officer who was recruited by the Bosnian Serb nationalists at the start of the war.

The Guardian

The attacks were part of an "overarching" plan by Karadzic and former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic to drive non-Serbs from large parts of Bosnia and to carve out a "Greater Serbia" from the ruins of the former Yugoslavia.

Huffington Post

Without such an overarching plan, he wrote, worthwhile ambitions can "end up abandoned in frustration or done poorly".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

For example, Joseph Miller, director of the University of California Observatories/Lick Observatory in Santa Cruz, worries about an overarching planning board.

Science Magazine

Assortment planning is usually executed in an overarching planning step by the marketing department, whereas shelf planning is a subordinate planning problem and generally owned by the sales department.

Business Research

National Plan of Action for Children in South Africa 2012 - 2017 2012 - A comprehensive overarching plan that brings together government's obligations in the realisation of the rights of children in South Africa.

Unicef

Author: Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities Price: Free No. of pages: 148 Publication date: 2012 Publisher Departmentt of Women, Children and People with Disabilities Languages: English  A comprehensive overarching plan that brings together government's obligations in the realisation of the rights of children in South Africa.

Unicef

It will be akin to New York University's core campus, but with an overarching design.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an overarching plan" when you want to convey that a strategy covers multiple aspects of a situation or problem. It suggests a holistic and comprehensive approach.

Common error

Avoid using "an overarching plan" if the plan only addresses a limited scope or a single aspect of a larger issue. Ensure the plan truly encompasses a wide range of elements to justify the term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overarching plan" functions as a noun phrase that often serves as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a comprehensive strategy or scheme designed to achieve a broad objective. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English, referring to something comprehensive.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overarching plan" is a noun phrase used to describe a comprehensive strategy or scheme. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's frequently used in news, science, and business contexts, suggesting a broad and strategic approach. When writing, ensure the plan truly covers multiple aspects to justify the term "overarching". Alternatives include "a comprehensive strategy" or "a unifying framework", depending on the specific emphasis desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a comprehensive strategy

Focuses on the thoroughness and completeness of the strategy.

a master plan

Suggests a detailed and controlling plan.

a unifying framework

Highlights the plan's role in bringing different elements together.

a global strategy

Emphasizes the worldwide scope of the plan.

a complete roadmap

Highlights plan providing a clear and detailed pathway to achieve a goal.

an all-encompassing approach

Emphasizes the breadth and inclusiveness of the plan.

a strategic blueprint

Conveys a detailed and well-defined plan, similar to an architectural blueprint.

a coordinated strategy

Highlights the importance of different elements working together.

a systematic approach

Focuses on the methodical and organized nature of the plan.

a company-wide initiative

Implies that the plan is something that must be adopted in all levels of the organization.

FAQs

How can I use "an overarching plan" in a sentence?

You can use "an overarching plan" to describe a strategy that encompasses all aspects of a project or organization. For example, "The company developed "an overarching plan" to reduce its carbon footprint."

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

You can use alternatives like "a comprehensive strategy", "a unifying framework", or "a master plan depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "an overarching strategic plan"?

While not strictly incorrect, using both "overarching" and "strategic" might be redundant. "Overarching" already implies a comprehensive and strategic nature. Consider using just ""an overarching plan"" or "a strategic plan" for conciseness.

What's the difference between "an overarching plan" and "an action plan"?

"An overarching plan" sets the broad direction and goals, while "an action plan" details the specific steps and tasks needed to achieve those goals. The former is the strategy, the latter is the execution.