broad account

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broad account" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a general or comprehensive description or explanation of a subject or situation. Example: "The report provides a broad account of the economic impacts of climate change on various industries."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Italian newspapers carried detailed accounts of his interrogation on Friday, in which he was described as giving a broad account of his involvement on July 21.

The New York Times

Offering a broad account of Algeria's handling of the operation, he told lawmakers: "We were not informed of this in advance.

The New York Times

Alison Levitt, chief legal adviser at the Crown Prosecution Service, traced the scope of what lies ahead with a broad account on Tuesday of the number of confirmed victims of the phone hacking — more than 600, by the prosecutors' count.

The New York Times

Directors and artists he has worked with as an executive at Columbia Artists Management and Sony Classical are popping up in the Met's future seasons, which Mr. Gelb outlined during an interview last week presenting his first broad account of how he will reshape the world's largest opera house.

The New York Times - Arts

A broad account of probabilities and utilities takes them to indicate attitudes toward propositions.

SEP

This entry attempts to provide a broad account of the many ways in which "relativism" has been defined, explained, defended and criticized.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The compromise reached today would set up seven broad accounts in the conservation fund and allocate a specific sum that could be spent in each.

The New York Times

The request is the first known request from a top White House official for a broad accounting of the spreading impact of the shutdown, which has entered its fifth week and is the longest in U.S. history.

The Washington Post

While Mr. Duncan's testimony about transactions at Enron would provide a defense against a broad accounting fraud case, it may well be used by the government to tailor any potential charges they decide to bring in the future, legal experts said.

The New York Times

The department was awaiting instructions from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) which Carter said he expected to come "this summer". Meanwhile, he said OMB and Pentagon lawyers are studying whether the across-the-board reductions will be applied to broad accounts, such as shipbuilding, or equally to each program, such as the new carrier, CVN-78, the USS Gerald R. Ford.

The Washington Post

And its motive was well-intentioned enough, but it wasn't a matter of applying broad accounting principles.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "broad account", ensure that the level of detail matches the context. It's best used when a general understanding is sufficient, rather than minute specifics.

Common error

Avoid using "broad account" when the situation demands a detailed and nuanced explanation. Using it inappropriately can lead to oversimplification and a lack of clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broad account" functions as a noun phrase, where 'broad' modifies 'account' to indicate the scope or extent of the description or explanation being given. It signifies a general or comprehensive overview of a subject, as supported by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "broad account" is a grammatically correct and usable term in English, functioning as a noun phrase that describes a general or comprehensive overview. Ludwig AI indicates it's appropriate for describing comprehensive descriptions or explanations, and while its frequency is considered uncommon, it finds use in various contexts, particularly within scientific, news, and academic domains. To ensure clarity, reserve its use for situations where a general understanding is sufficient, avoiding oversimplification when detailed analysis is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

general overview

Focuses on providing a summary of the main points, often less detailed.

comprehensive description

Emphasizes thoroughness and detail in covering all aspects of the subject.

wide-ranging analysis

Implies an examination that covers many different areas or perspectives.

extensive summary

Suggests a detailed compilation of key information, but less detailed than comprehensive description.

overall assessment

Focuses on forming a judgment or evaluation based on available information.

general outline

Provides a skeletal structure of information, lacking in substantial details.

sweeping overview

Suggests a quick and expansive look at the topic, possibly lacking depth.

holistic perspective

Highlights an approach that considers the whole system and its interdependencies.

inclusive narrative

Emphasizes that the information presented is a story that incorporates diverse elements.

general survey

Indicates a broad but perhaps superficial examination of a topic.

FAQs

How can I use "broad account" in a sentence?

You can use "broad account" to describe a general overview or description of a topic. For example, "The historian provided a "broad account" of the French Revolution."

What's the difference between "broad account" and "detailed analysis"?

"Broad account" refers to a general overview, while "detailed analysis" implies a thorough examination of specific aspects. A "detailed analysis" goes deeper into the subject matter than a "broad account".

What are some alternatives to using "broad account"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "general overview", "summary", or "comprehensive description".

Is "broad account" suitable for academic writing?

Yes, "broad account" is suitable for academic writing when introducing a topic or providing a general background before delving into specifics. However, ensure that it's followed by more detailed analysis where necessary.