broad indication of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broad indication of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to convey a general or overarching sense of something without going into specific details. Example: "The report provides a broad indication of the trends in consumer behavior over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

These indicate that four raters would be sufficient to provide a broad indication of domains where a doctor may have some performance issues.

BMJ Open

Because there are three different criteria for such status income per head, a human assets index comprising health, nutrition, literacy and school enrolments, and an economic vulnerability index (which uses various measures to assess a country's exposure to natural and climatic setbacks)—the data, based on figures for income per head, give no more than a broad indication of graduation timetables.

The Economist

The utility of a national drought monitor (US Drought Monitor; http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx CA) provides a broad indication of conditions but does not address the different kinds of drought explicitly nor how they differ across the landscape.

Ecological Processes

A broad indication of a graduate skill level in some jobs is whether the job requires jobholders to have had a long-lasting formal training for the type of work they do.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

A newly available European riparian zone distribution dataset and continental land-cover change information allowed us to obtain an unprecedented continental overview of riparian land conversion and associated drivers, as well as a broad indication of their loss of capacity to provide ecosystem services.

Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology

If seizure data is a broad indication of the NPS marketplace, then demand for synthetic cannabinoids is on an exponential rise, while demand for other substances has been gradually falling since 2013.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Metrics are sledgehammers rather than lasers and will, at best, offer broad indications of quality.

The Guardian

Polls last winter showed that public support for the president's decision to go to war in Iraq was sharply divided along partisan lines, with broad indications of reluctance.

The New York Times

But in his presentation to team owners in August 2006, he gave broad indications of how he would lead the league, clues to his vision for active leadership to sculpture not just how the N.F.L. runs, but also how it appears to outsiders.

The New York Times - Sports

Discussion: The high rate of compliant prescriptions can be explained by the broad indications of carbapenems in the ICU, especially in patients with septic shock.

Annals of Intensive Care

Our findings can only be interpreted as broad indications of doctors' views and of broad trends.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broad indication of" when you want to convey a general sense without precise details. It's suitable for summarizing initial findings or providing a preliminary overview.

Common error

Avoid using "broad indication of" when you actually have specific, detailed data. This phrase is meant to suggest a lack of precise information, so it's misleading if you're being intentionally vague despite having access to granular information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broad indication of" functions as a qualifier, specifying the type of information being presented. It suggests that the information is not precise or detailed, but rather a general overview. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broad indication of" is a useful phrase for conveying general information without claiming high precision. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in both scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of the potential for misinterpretation; always ensure that your language accurately reflects the level of detail available. If you are seeking alternative phrases, consider options like "general idea of" or "rough estimate of" to achieve the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

general idea of

Focuses on understanding the main concept rather than precise details.

rough estimate of

Highlights the approximate nature of the assessment.

basic understanding of

Emphasizes fundamental comprehension without deep knowledge.

preliminary assessment of

Suggests an initial evaluation before more detailed analysis.

initial impression of

Implies a first glance or surface-level observation.

high-level view of

Indicates a perspective from a strategic or overview level.

cursory overview of

Suggests a quick and not very detailed review.

superficial knowledge of

Highlights the lack of in-depth expertise.

general sense of

Focuses on an overall feeling or perception.

approximate figure for

Emphasizes the inexactness of a numerical value.

FAQs

How can I use "broad indication of" in a sentence?

You can use "broad indication of" to introduce a general overview or preliminary assessment. For instance, "The data provides a "broad indication of" market trends".

What are some alternatives to "broad indication of"?

Alternatives include "general idea of", "rough estimate of", or "basic understanding of depending on the specific context".

Is it appropriate to use "broad indication of" in formal writing?

Yes, "broad indication of" is suitable for formal writing when you need to convey a general sense without going into exhaustive detail. It's appropriate for academic papers, reports, and professional communications.

How does "broad indication of" differ from "precise measurement of"?

"Broad indication of" implies a lack of precise data and offers a general overview. In contrast, "precise measurement of" suggests accurate and detailed data collection and analysis. Use "broad indication of" when you lack specific details and "precise measurement of" when you have concrete data.