broad instructions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broad instructions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to general or overarching guidelines that are not detailed or specific. Example: "The manager provided broad instructions for the project, allowing the team to use their creativity in execution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A loss of mid-level leadership makes those problems much more intractable as there is no one to pass on broad instructions or corral the often disorganised fighters on the ground.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet regardless of their companies' share prices, those designing trading plans must strike a balance: selling a lot of shares helps to diversify their portfolios, but plans designed to sell a lot of shares often require broad instructions for trading that an insider may later regret.

The New York Times

While her collaborator Dohee Lee provided rhythmic sounds breathed into a microphone, (fascinating small children who happened to be passing by) Halprin worked with participants to build a "score"—a set of broad instructions for directing movement, developed in an iterative conversation among Halprin and the participants.

University of California, Berkeley

While previously instructions had to be coded into a computer, machine learning, a 1980's innovation, gave a system broad instructions which it could use to make snap judgments.

Forbes

Broad instructions and guidance on adaptation planning have been put forth by state and federal natural resource management agencies in the United States (e.g., AFWA 2009; CEQ 2011; Peterson and others 2011).

Environmental Management

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Resurrecting a judicial doctrine that has not been applied since before the New Deal era, the conservatives held that the Clean Air Act's broad instruction to the E.P.A. to set air-quality standards that will "protect the public health" is an unconstitutionally vague delegation of Congress's authority, because no one knows precisely what "the public health" is.

The New York Times - Magazine

November 30, 1907 Créteil, France October 25, 2012 San Antonio, Texas Jacques Barzun, (born November 30, 1907, Créteil, France died October 25 , 2012 San Antonio, Texas), French-born American teacher, historian, and author who influenced higher education in the United States by his insistence that undergraduates avoid early specialization and instead be given broad instruction in the humanities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Further, after multiple learning opportunities, including broad instruction on phylogenetic trees, targeted instruction for evolutionary relationships, textbook readings, and homework, slightly more than half of groups and less than half of individuals provided correct answers coupled with correct reasoning for taxa-relatedness questions.

CBE Life Sciences Education

I've heard this, it's not new, but it wasn't until I rephrased the expression that it turned into a much broader instruction: to fear being in all public space for half of one's time," Tyson adds.

Vice

Mr. Rumsfeld said intelligence analysts now believed that Mr. bin Laden gives Mr. Zarqawi "broad direction," rather than "detailed instructions," on carrying out the insurgency.

The New York Times

Broad initial instruction that encouraged students to generate inferences on their own did not impact phylogenetic tree understanding.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broad instructions" when you want to allow flexibility and creativity in how tasks are accomplished, rather than dictating every step.

Common error

Avoid using "broad instructions" when the task requires precision or has critical safety implications. In such cases, detailed and specific guidance is necessary to prevent errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broad instructions" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "broad" modifies the noun "instructions". It is used to describe instructions that are not specific or detailed, offering general guidance rather than precise steps. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broad instructions" refers to general guidance that lacks specific details, allowing for flexibility in execution. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While the phrase is grammatically sound and appears in diverse sources like news, academia, and science, it's crucial to ensure that the context provides sufficient understanding. Alternatives such as "general guidelines" or "high-level directives" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When employing "broad instructions", avoid assuming too much understanding and ensure they are appropriate for the task at hand. Overall, "broad instructions" is a versatile phrase for conveying general direction, provided it's used thoughtfully and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

general guidelines

Replaces the specific term "instructions" with a more generic term for guidance.

general directions

Uses a synonym for "instructions" that implies less formality.

high-level directives

Emphasizes the overarching and strategic nature of the guidance.

overall guidance

Focuses on the comprehensive aspect of the instructions, covering the whole scope.

overarching guidelines

Stresses the comprehensive and dominant nature of the instructions.

high-level guidance

Focuses on the high-level nature of the direction provided.

wide-ranging directions

Highlights the extensive scope of the provided instructions.

basic guidance

Emphasizes the fundamental nature of the instructions, covering the essentials.

sweeping mandates

Implies the instructions are extensive and authoritative.

general orders

Suggests a formal, possibly military, context for the instructions.

FAQs

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

You can use "broad instructions" to indicate general guidelines, such as: "The project manager gave the team "broad instructions", allowing them to innovate in their approach."

What are some alternatives to "broad instructions"?

Alternatives to "broad instructions" include "general guidelines", "overall guidance", or "high-level directives", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "broad instructions" versus detailed instructions?

"Broad instructions" are suitable when flexibility and individual initiative are desired. Detailed instructions are necessary when precision and adherence to specific procedures are critical.

Is "broad instructions" formal or informal language?

"Broad instructions" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though the specific situation should guide your word choice. In more formal settings, phrases like "overarching guidelines" might be preferred.