breadth

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'breadth' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the width or extent of something, and it is often used in the context of a discussion of a particular topic. For example: "This essay examines the historical breadth of the Protestant Reformation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I don't hold [against them] the fact that they haven't had the breadth of experience that some of us who didn't go to public school have had.

The Guardian

I now realised that this is what happened every night, during the two years in the West End and in countless performances the length and breadth of the country.

The Guardian

Despite the hair's breadth difference poll results between Labour and Conservative that appear each day, neither party wants to commit to investing in an economically important and electorally resonate sector.

The Guardian

The breadth of the violence, along with the extent of official involvement, ​was​ significantly underestimated The killing did not end but was scaled back and conducted more covertly.

The Guardian

The use of barley as the ultimate foundation stone of measurement appears to be another universal element (alongside the forearm, the foot and the breadth of a finger), so that, for instance, you will find it underwriting the system of measurements used by the Vikings.

The Guardian - Books

The breadth of their support is beginning to make it difficult for some of the other candidates, such as Kendall and Tristram Hunt, the shadow education secretary, to gather the required 35 nominations from MPs to get on the ballot.

The Guardian

But as the memoirs of ministers and others have revealed, the government came within a hair's breadth of defeat in the autumn of 1984.

The Guardian

It's about layers and layers and having breadth and depth".

The Guardian

This requires a tremendous breadth of knowledge and range of skills, not to mention highly developed interpersonal skills.

The Guardian

The sheer breadth of Pisa has also raised questions about the comparability of results within it.

The Guardian

In a commentary accompanying the paper, two other psychologists, Gordon Feld and Jan Born, write: "The findings highlight the breadth of possible applications to permanently modify any unwanted behaviour by targeted memory reactivation during sleep".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "breadth" to emphasize the comprehensive nature of a topic or the wide range of its application. For example, "The breadth of the study covered various aspects of climate change."

Common error

Avoid using "breadth" when you actually mean "depth". "Breadth" refers to the range or scope, while "depth" refers to the level of detail or complexity.

Linguistic Context

The noun "breadth" primarily functions to describe the extent, range, or scope of something, either physical or abstract. It is often used to indicate the comprehensiveness or wide-ranging nature of a subject, idea, or area of study. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "breadth" is a noun that denotes the extent, scope, or range of something. It is grammatically correct and very common, appearing most frequently in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples highlights its function in describing comprehensiveness and wide-ranging attributes. When writing, it's important to use "breadth" to emphasize range, avoiding confusion with "depth", which refers to the level of detail. Using related terms like "scope" or "extent" can provide variety while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

width

Refers to the measurement from side to side; a more literal synonym.

scope

Emphasizes the extent of the area or subject matter covered.

extent

Highlights the degree to which something reaches or stretches.

range

Indicates the variety or limits within which something operates or varies.

magnitude

Stresses the great size or importance of something.

reach

Focuses on the distance something can extend or influence.

expanse

Suggests a wide and open area or surface.

comprehensiveness

Emphasizes the completeness and thoroughness of something.

scale

Highlights the size or extent, often in comparison to something else.

dimension

Indicates a measurable extent of something.

FAQs

How is "breadth" typically used in a sentence?

The word "breadth" is used to describe the extent or range of something, as in "The course covers a wide "range" of topics" or "The "scope" of the project is extensive".

What's a good synonym for "breadth" when discussing knowledge?

When referring to knowledge, suitable synonyms for "breadth" include "scope", "range", or "extent". For example, you could say "She has a wide "range" of knowledge" instead of "She has a wide "breadth" of knowledge".

Is it correct to use "breadth and depth" together?

Yes, "breadth and depth" is a common and effective pairing. It emphasizes both the range and the level of detail or complexity. It is often used to describe the "scope" and intensity of an analysis.

How does "breadth" differ from "width"?

"Breadth" generally refers to the extent or scope of something abstract or conceptual, while "width" refers to the physical measurement of something from side to side. For example, the "breadth" of a curriculum versus the "width" of a table.