being too broad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being too broad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a concept, idea, or statement that lacks specificity or is overly general. Example: "The guidelines provided were criticized for being too broad, making it difficult for employees to understand their specific responsibilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

But the Cyber-safety Act's definition of "cyberbullying" — essentially, the repeated use of technology to cause harm to another person's well-being — has drawn criticism for being too broad.

Vice

The coalition is seen as being too broad and incapable of agreeing on necessary economic reforms.

The Economist

"Being at the Ridiculous I had a bad reputation for being too broad, over the top," he said.

The New York Times - Style

But he added, "I'm willing to address any concerns about the political intelligence provision being too broad and modify the language as needed".

The New York Times

Swartz was charged under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, a law that has attracted widespread criticism for being too broad.

The Guardian - Tech

Both men were being prosecuted under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, a statute written in the 1980s which has come under fire for being too broad.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"It's too broad.

The New York Times

A cowboy hat is too broad.

The New York Times

I think this distinction is too broad.

The New York Times

That, the justice said, was too broad.

The New York Times

The jokes are too broad.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing a definition or concept as "being too broad", provide specific examples of what it includes that it shouldn't, or what distinctions it fails to make.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "being too broad" without explaining why. Substantiate your claim with concrete evidence and specific consequences of its over-generality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being too broad" functions as a subject complement, describing a characteristic or quality of a noun. It commonly follows a linking verb (e.g. is, was, seems) to express that something is excessively inclusive or lacks sufficient focus. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being too broad" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression for criticizing something that lacks specificity. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing its usage in various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Scientific publications. To effectively employ this phrase, it's essential to provide concrete examples and justification for your assertion, avoiding vague statements. Alternatives like "being overly general" or "lacking focus" can be considered for nuanced expression. This analysis offers practical guidance for using "being too broad" accurately and effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being overly general

This alternative emphasizes the lack of specificity in a statement or concept.

being insufficiently specific

This alternative directly addresses the lack of detail or precision.

being excessively wide-ranging

This phrase highlights the extensive scope of something, suggesting it covers too much ground.

covering too much ground

This alternative suggests that a topic or discussion is trying to encompass too many different areas.

being excessively inclusive

This alternative focuses on the over-inclusion of elements or ideas.

being too all-encompassing

This phrase suggests that something tries to cover everything, losing its effectiveness.

lacking focus

This phrase points out the absence of a clear or defined subject.

being vaguely defined

This highlights the ambiguity and lack of clarity in the definition.

being imprecisely defined

Similar to vaguely defined, but emphasizes the lack of precision.

spreading too thinly

Implies that resources or efforts are distributed over too wide an area, reducing their impact.

FAQs

How can I use "being too broad" in a sentence?

You can use "being too broad" to describe definitions, concepts, or categories that lack specificity. For example, "The Cyber-safety Act's definition of 'cyberbullying' was criticized for "being too broad".".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "being too broad"?

Alternatives include "being overly general", "being excessively wide-ranging", or "lacking focus", depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when something is described as "being too broad"?

When something is described as "being too broad", it means that it is overly inclusive and lacks sufficient detail or precision. This can lead to ambiguity and make it difficult to apply the concept effectively.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "being too broad"?

It's appropriate to use "being too broad" in contexts where you are evaluating the scope or definition of something, such as laws, research programs, or categorizations. The goal is to argue that the subject in question needs to be more specific or narrowly defined.