breadth of thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breadth of thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the extent or range of someone's thinking or ideas, often in a positive context. Example: "Her breadth of thought on the subject allowed for a comprehensive discussion that included multiple perspectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Liao's performance will make the Chinese look down upon Germany's wisdom and breadth of thought in awarding the prize to Liao," it read.

The New York Times

Kushner's formalized but fascinating talk often leaves little in the way of overt emotion to guide some of the movie's very best moments; searching in vain for an emotional pinpoint, Spielberg offers moments that are surprisingly un-Spielbergian, that lend his Lincoln an impressive breadth of thought and zone of inward shadow.

The New Yorker

Exploring an impressive breadth of thought, he traced a deeply entrenched logic throughout the whole of Western philosophy that has justified the state's right to take a life.

University of Chicago

Instead, I have been consistently impressed by the depth, texture, and breadth of thought that is promoted by West Point's faculty among their student body.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

We welcome the breadth of thought-provoking viewpoints on race, gender, politics and the media," said Bill Delahunt, IOP Acting Director.

Harvard University

The first reference of its kind surveys the full breadth of critical thought on art, culture, and society--from classical philosophy to contemporary critical theory.

Stanford University

The breadth of his thought and sympathy, the difficult balance between the patience and trust he speaks of and his passionate political conviction give the novel a wider focus than most such testimonies of human injustice.

The Guardian - Books

For readers already familiar with John Polkinghorne's books, this latest is a welcome reminder of the breadth of his thought and the subtlety of his approach in the quest for truthful understanding.

Yale University

Beginning in 1839, Ripley edited Specimens of Foreign Standard Literature: fourteen volumes of translations meant to demonstrate the breadth of Transcendental thoughts.

Wikipedia

Stuart Prebble, who was commissioned by the Trust to assess breadth of opinion on religion and beliefs, immigration and the EU on BBC programmes, asked for Thought for the Day to be formally included in his remit.

The Times

Such is his breadth of view, his breadth of vision, his breadth of influence.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When praising someone's intellect, use "breadth of thought" to highlight their ability to consider diverse perspectives and complex ideas. It suggests a comprehensive understanding that goes beyond surface-level knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "breadth of thought" when you actually mean depth of thought. "Breadth" refers to the range of ideas, while "depth" signifies the level of understanding or insight into a single idea. Ensure your usage accurately reflects the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breadth of thought" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as the subject or object of a sentence to describe the scope and range of someone's thinking. Ludwig provides examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "breadth of thought" is a noun phrase used to describe the comprehensive and wide-ranging nature of someone's thinking. As highlighted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and is found in diverse sources, including news, academia, and science. While "breadth" emphasizes range, it's important not to confuse it with "depth", which denotes the level of insight. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and can be effectively employed to commend an individual's capacity to grasp complex ideas from multiple perspectives. Related terms, such as "scope of thinking" or "range of ideas", can serve as alternatives depending on the desired nuance. The phrase carries a neutral to formal tone, lending itself well to intellectual discourse and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Scope of thinking

Emphasizes the extent and range covered by someone's thoughts.

Intellectual scope

Similar to scope of thinking, emphasizing the intellectual capacity.

Depth of insight

Highlights the profoundness and understanding present in one's thinking.

Range of ideas

Focuses on the variety and diversity of concepts considered.

Expanse of intellect

Suggests a broad and comprehensive intellectual capacity.

Multifaceted thinking

Highlights the ability to consider multiple aspects of a problem or idea.

Comprehensive understanding

Highlights a complete and thorough grasp of a subject.

Versatility of mind

Emphasizes the ability to think flexibly and adapt to different ideas.

Wide perspective

Indicates a broad and inclusive viewpoint.

Extensive knowledge

Focuses on the amount and variety of information possessed.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "breadth of thought" in a sentence?

Use "breadth of thought" to describe someone's capacity to understand and consider a wide range of perspectives and ideas. For example: "Her "breadth of thought" allowed her to approach the problem from multiple angles."

What are some alternatives to "breadth of thought"?

Consider using alternatives such as "scope of thinking", "range of ideas", or "intellectual scope" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to discuss someone's breadth or depth of thought?

It depends on what you want to emphasize. "Breadth of thought" highlights the range of ideas considered, while "depth of thought" focuses on the level of understanding and insight. Choose the term that best fits the context.

Can "breadth of thought" be a negative quality?

While typically positive, "breadth of thought" could be perceived negatively if it comes at the expense of depth or focused expertise. In some contexts, a broad understanding might be less valuable than specialized knowledge.