broad guidelines

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broad guidelines" is a perfectly valid expression in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that a set of rules, principles, or instructions are not highly specific or are intended to cover a wide range of possible scenarios. For example, "The company issued a set of broad guidelines to all its employees for how to handle work-related conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Haidt's research suggests several broad guidelines.

The New York Times

It also offered students some broad guidelines for investing.

Harvard University

Because we're used to BBC licences, we'd recognise the broad guidelines that broadband could use, too.

The Guardian

Before suggesting specific models for enthusiasts, Mr. Mecum started with broad guidelines.

The New York Times

Within each standard it provided broad guidelines for employees' attitudes and behaviors.

Harvard Business Review

The executive order gives broad guidelines for which documents would be exempt from the state's newly strengthened open-records law.

The New York Times

At a meeting in October, the board decided broad guidelines (pdf) for how it would allocate the money.

The Guardian

States set eligibility criteria for the Children's Health Insurance Program, within broad guidelines established by federal law.

The New York Times

In the latter part of the chapter, some broad guidelines for designers are offered.

Smart Clothes and Wearable Technology

While Washington sets broad guidelines and shares the cost, states have great discretion over eligibility and coverage.

The New York Times

However, a few broad guidelines can help the team pinpoint the most promising intervention points on the strategy map.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "broad guidelines", ensure that you provide sufficient detail to allow for practical application. A lack of specificity can lead to misinterpretation or inaction.

Common error

Avoid using overly vague language when formulating "broad guidelines". While flexibility is important, ensure clarity in the objectives and expected outcomes to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broad guidelines" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. As Ludwig shows, it's used to denote a set of general principles or recommendations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "broad guidelines" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey general principles or recommendations. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable across various registers, from neutral news reports to academic and formal contexts. The primary contexts are News & Media, Academia and Science, and the phrase functions as a noun phrase. When employing "broad guidelines", ensure that your language is clear and provides a practical framework, avoiding excessive vagueness. Alternatives such as "general principles" or "overarching framework" can be used depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

general principles

Focuses more on the underlying concepts rather than specific rules.

high-level directives

Emphasizes the authoritative and strategic nature of the guidance.

overarching framework

Highlights the structural and comprehensive aspect of the guidance.

basic parameters

Stresses the fundamental limits or boundaries set by the guidance.

general recommendations

Suggests non-compulsory advice rather than strict rules.

rough parameters

Indicates approximate and imprecise limitations.

preliminary guidance

Implies that the advice is initial and subject to change.

high-level guidance

Suggests advice which is strategic and not concerned with detail.

general policy

Focuses more on institutional rules rather than specific advice.

overall direction

Highlights the intended trajectory or aim rather than specific rules.

FAQs

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

You can use "broad guidelines" to describe general rules or principles, such as: "The company provided "broad guidelines" for employee conduct, allowing for some flexibility in specific situations."

What are some alternatives to saying "broad guidelines"?

Alternatives include "general principles", "overarching framework", or "basic parameters", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "broad guidelines" and "strict rules"?

"Broad guidelines" offer flexibility and are open to interpretation, while "strict rules" are rigid and must be followed precisely. Guidelines provide a framework, whereas rules dictate specific actions.

Are "broad guidelines" always sufficient, or are detailed instructions sometimes necessary?

The sufficiency of "broad guidelines" depends on the situation. Complex or critical tasks often require detailed instructions, while simpler or more adaptable scenarios can be managed effectively with "broad guidelines".