broad direction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broad direction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a general guideline or overarching strategy rather than specific details. Example: "The project is moving forward under the broad direction of enhancing user experience across all platforms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Yet it does tend to move in one broad direction.

The New York Times

But congressional elections rarely affect the broad direction of American foreign policy.

The Washington Post

Yet the broad direction of Snowden is more faithful to the truth than might be expected from Hollywood.

The Guardian - Film

For some historians whose work was already in progress, Mr. Thompson's book confirmed a broad direction already pursued.

The New York Times - Books

During our hour together, Obama told me he had no regrets about the broad direction of his presidency.

The New York Times - Magazine

For some years he worked at Stowe under the broad direction of the landscape architect William Kent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

He sees three broad directions.

The Guardian - Opinion

This first meeting between Mr. Trump and Mr. Kim, if it happens, would simply be to build trust and set broad directions.

The New York Times

He said Speaker John A. Boehner "gives general broad directions" as to the target the committee has to reach, "but it is up to us to do the details".

The New York Times

The proposed control problems bring out the intrinsic relationship of reliability engineering, maintenance engineering and control engineering in the broad directions of energy efficiency and optimization.

Annual Reviews in Control

I conclude that, relative to the size of this field, we know very little about the design of incentive contracts for CEOs and propose two broad directions for future research.

Handbooks of Management Accounting Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broad direction" when referring to a high-level, general course of action rather than specific details or tactics. This is particularly useful in strategic planning and leadership contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "broad direction" when specific instructions or detailed plans are required. It's not suitable when precision is key; opt for terms like "specific guidelines" or "detailed procedures" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broad direction" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb (e.g., "set the broad direction") or the complement of a preposition (e.g., "under the broad direction"). Ludwig examples show it indicating a general course or strategy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broad direction" is a commonly used noun phrase that refers to a general course of action or overarching strategy. It is grammatically correct and suitable for a wide range of formal and informal contexts, particularly in news, academic, and business settings. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is best used when describing strategic goals or plans that require a high-level overview without specific details. When more precise language is needed, alternatives such as "specific guidelines" or "detailed procedures" may be more appropriate. Understanding when and how to use "broad direction" can enhance clarity and effectiveness in both writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

general course

This alternative emphasizes the overall path or progression, differing from "broad direction" by focusing on movement.

overall strategy

While "broad direction" indicates a general sense of where things are headed, "overall strategy" focuses on a planned approach to achieve a specific goal.

general guideline

This phrase is more prescriptive, suggesting a set of rules to follow rather than an overarching aim.

overarching plan

Similar to "overall strategy", but "overarching plan" explicitly implies structured planning, a more organized approach compared to "broad direction".

main tendency

Focuses more on the trend or inclination, instead of purpose and intention.

principal trend

Principal trend places greater emphasis on the most important or prominent course that something is taking.

chief orientation

Chief orientation specifies the primary alignment or direction adopted by an entity.

primary thrust

Primary thrust suggests a forceful movement or major emphasis that is driving progress or change.

prevailing movement

Prevailing movement denotes a widespread or common pattern, like a popular consensus or cultural swing.

dominant current

Dominant current reflects a prevailing trend or influence, likened to a strong undercurrent in a stream or an ocean.

FAQs

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

You can use "broad direction" to describe a general plan or strategy, such as: "The CEO provided the "broad direction" for the company's growth, but left the specifics to the department heads."

What are some alternatives to "broad direction"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "general guidance", "overall strategy", or "main tendency".

Is it appropriate to use "broad direction" in formal writing?

Yes, "broad direction" is suitable for formal writing, especially in business or academic contexts, where it's important to describe strategic objectives without getting into excessive detail. According to Ludwig AI it follows standard grammar rules.

What is the difference between "broad direction" and "specific instructions"?

"Broad direction" refers to a general guideline or plan, while "specific instructions" provide detailed steps for completing a task. Use "broad direction" when setting the overall goal and "specific instructions" when explaining exactly how to achieve it.