broad explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

"broad explanation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to an overview of an idea or concept that is meant to provide a basic understanding of the subject matter without going into too much detail. For example, "The teacher provided a broad explanation of the different types of rocks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The other broad explanation, social-bias theory, is that the difference is illusory.

The Economist

A broad explanation is that while engagement is an important determinant of performance, performance is also affected by other factors – and sometimes those factors matter more than engagement.

Harvard Business Review

While decomposition indices based on initial litter quality provide a broad explanation of quantitative and qualitative decomposition, they can only be taken as first approximations.

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

In addition to disclosing his client list and law firm wealth, Mr. Clayton filed an ethics letter providing a broad explanation of how he plans to navigate such potential conflicts.

The New York Times

Today, as the Giants broke training camp with a final light workout, Fassel said he had not decided anything with his backs, but he did not even mention Wheatley in a broad explanation of what he is looking for from the Giants' running backs on Thursday.

The New York Times - Sports

My point is that there are many contributing factors to underrepresentation instead of blaming racism as the broad explanation.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Scientific theories, on the other hand, are broad explanations for a wide range of phenomena.

University of California, Berkeley

For all the broad explanations for Pujols's struggles, Isringhausen offered an analytical pitcher's approach.

The New York Times - Sports

Broad explanations, not intricate detail, were what voters in Georgia were looking for in recent meetings with Representative Phil Gingrey, a Republican who was a practicing physician in the state for 26 years.

The New York Times - Health

He examines two broad explanations for the behavior of inflation and unemployment in this period: the natural-rate hypothesis joined to the Lucas critique and a more traditional econometric policy evaluation modified to include adaptive expectations and learning.

Princeton University

Like one of Tolstoy's unhappy families, UBS is unhappy in its own way; but the lessons from its sorry tale apply to all.The report gives three broad explanations for the bank's woes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broad explanation" when you want to offer a general understanding of a concept without delving into intricate details. It's best suited for introductory contexts or when addressing a non-specialist audience.

Common error

Avoid using a "broad explanation" when precision is required. If the context demands specific details and rigorous analysis, a more detailed and nuanced explanation is necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broad explanation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., "give a broad explanation") or as a complement to a noun (e.g., "a broad explanation of..."). It denotes a general, rather than detailed, account of something. Ludwig shows numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "broad explanation" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's a noun phrase used to describe a general overview of a topic, concept, or situation, without going into minute details. While not very common, it finds its place in various contexts, particularly in news media, scientific articles, and academic discussions. When using "broad explanation", make sure the audience doesn't require more in-depth analysis or precise information, since a more granular explanation should be used in those specific cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

general explanation

This alternative uses "general" instead of "broad", emphasizing the lack of specific details.

overview

This is a concise term referring to a summary or general survey of a subject.

summary

This term implies a condensed account of the main points.

basic outline

This suggests a structural framework without detailed information.

general idea

This emphasizes the conveyance of a main concept without specifics.

overall picture

This phrase focuses on presenting a holistic view, rather than granular details.

comprehensive summary

It changes “explanation” to “summary” and adds “comprehensive” to indicate the inclusiveness of the summary.

sweeping statement

This suggests a broad generalization that may lack nuance.

cursory account

The alternative “cursory account” is a short overview and brief statement of facts.

surface-level understanding

“Surface-level understanding” relates to the knowledge of understanding something complex but without looking at details.

FAQs

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

You can use "broad explanation" to introduce a general overview of a topic. For example, "The professor gave a "broad explanation" of quantum physics before diving into the specifics."

What's a good alternative to "broad explanation"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "general overview", "basic outline", or "summary" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "broad explanation" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "broad explanation" is suitable for formal writing when providing a general introduction or overview. However, ensure that the level of detail is appropriate for your audience and the purpose of your writing.

When should I avoid using "broad explanation"?

Avoid using "broad explanation" when detailed analysis or precise information is required. In such cases, a more specific and in-depth explanation is necessary.