broad background

USAGE SUMMARY

"broad background" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe the wide range of knowledge and experience someone has. For example, you could say: "He has a broad background in business, finance, and marketing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Build a broad background in applied sciences.

Cornell University

You have a broad background in the arts.

The Guardian - Books

Toyota's top executives typically have a broad background, not a single expertise.

The New York Times

For a man overseeing a deep but narrow niche, Mr. Burke has a broad background.

The New York Times

Dr. Humphries has a broad background in public health research and practice.

Yale University

Dr. Williams has a broad background in neuropsychiatry, completing residencies in both neurology and psychiatry.

Stanford University

Is a broad background and approach becoming a requirement today for any successful researcher?

Cornell University

European music is epic in character; it has a broad background and is gothic in its structure".

The New York Times - Arts

Sema's unique personality and broad background with IBM made her a valuable member of the BBN/GTE Internet organization.

The New York Times

His broad background enabled him to correlate geological and archaeological evidence to establish a chronological sequence for remote eras.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This paper provides a broad background on the topics of game-based learning, gamification, and serious games.

Emerging Trends in ICT Security

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's qualifications, use "broad background" to highlight the variety of their experience and knowledge, emphasizing its value to the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "broad background" when you actually mean deep expertise in a specific area. "Broad" implies a wide range, while "deep" suggests focused mastery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broad background" functions as a noun phrase, where "broad" modifies "background". It typically describes someone's diverse range of experiences, knowledge, or skills. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

32%

News & Media

32%

Science

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "broad background" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a wide range of experiences, knowledge, or skills. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage. It commonly appears in academic, news, and scientific contexts, indicating its versatility across various registers. To enhance clarity, make sure to use this phrase when accurately reflecting the breadth of one's expertise, avoiding overstating specialized knowledge. For situations where the phrase doesn't precisely fit, alternatives such as "extensive experience" or "varied skill set" can provide a more nuanced description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extensive experience

Focuses more on accumulated practical experience rather than theoretical knowledge.

varied skill set

Highlights the diverse skills someone possesses.

diverse knowledge base

Emphasizes the breadth of knowledge in different areas.

well-rounded expertise

Implies a balance and completeness in one's expertise.

comprehensive understanding

Highlights a deep and thorough grasp of a subject.

wide range of skills

Similar to varied skill set, but slightly more general.

interdisciplinary knowledge

Highlights knowledge spanning across multiple disciplines.

versatile background

Focuses on adaptability and competence in different areas.

multifaceted expertise

Implies expertise with many different aspects.

general proficiency

Suggests competent but not necessarily expert level knowledge across many areas.

FAQs

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

You can use "broad background" to describe someone's wide range of knowledge and experience. For instance, "She has a "broad background" in both science and art."

What are some alternatives to "broad background"?

Consider using alternatives like "extensive experience", "varied skill set", or "diverse knowledge base" depending on the context.

Is it better to have a "broad background" or specialized knowledge?

It depends on the situation. A "broad background" is useful for roles requiring versatility and adaptability, while specialized knowledge is essential for roles demanding deep expertise in a specific area.

What does it mean to have a "broad background" in a particular field?

Having a "broad background" in a field means possessing a wide range of knowledge and experience across various aspects of that field, rather than specializing in a single area.