broad intent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broad intent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a general or overarching purpose or goal behind an action or statement. Example: "The broad intent of the policy is to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility across all departments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

They differ in details, but agree in broad intent.

The New York Times

"Our broad intent is to keep pressure on the insurgents as we head into elections," says General Casey.

The Economist

The project is the latest effort of Carl Malamud, an activist who founded public.resource.org in March, with the broad intent of building "public works" accessible via the network, and with the specific plan to force the federal government to make information more publicly accessible.

The New York Times - Tech

Their broad intent was quite clear -- to shut down every women's health clinic in Michigan that provides abortion counseling services -- but the impact would be far worse.

Huffington Post

Building on the existing national information infrastructure is essential to help operationalise the broad intent of the National Disability Agreement and to monitor outcomes from the Convention.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

But there is no disagreement about its broader intent, which is to provide the constitutional means to mount a military defence against a tyrannical government.

The Guardian

"I said, 'Let's go get the A-Team.' " While he was aware of the broader intent, he said he was not aware of the intricacies of the complicated and ultimately dangerous bet until then.

The New York Times

Congress set up the supplemental loan program with a much broader intent, to aid businesses nationwide that claimed to be "adversely affected" by the attacks, though the report suggests that it was never precisely clear what that meant.

The New York Times

But the broader intent is to initiate plays and conversations that help merge disabilities into the theatrical mainstream, so that both the people who make theater and the people who go to it no longer think of "disabled theater" as a separate entity and pat themselves on the back for fostering it.

The New York Times

But the PM's spokesperson's use of the phrase 'fake news' risks implying the unit will have a rather broader intent, which is concerning — from a freedom of the press and freedom of speech perspective.

TechCrunch

But the statute's definition of sabotage is so broad — the "intent to injure, interfere with, or obstruct the national defense of the United States" — that the law has often been used to incarcerate people who protest against the nation's defense policies with civil disobedience.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "broad intent", ensure the context clarifies the specific area to which the general intention applies. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "broad intent" without providing any specific details. If the intent is too vaguely defined, it becomes meaningless. Always balance the general statement with concrete examples or applications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broad intent" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. It signifies a general or overarching purpose, as demonstrated by Ludwig AI, conveying the overall aim rather than specific details.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broad intent" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes a general or overarching purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most commonly found in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's essential to balance the generality with specific details to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "general intention", "overarching aim", and "primary objective" can offer subtle variations in meaning. While "broad intent" isn't exceptionally common, its appropriate use can effectively convey a sense of overall purpose or direction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

general intention

Replaces "broad" with "general", emphasizing the overall nature of the intent.

overarching aim

Substitutes both words to convey a similar meaning of a primary objective.

primary objective

Emphasizes the main goal, replacing "intent" with a more concrete term.

overall goal

Uses "overall" to highlight the comprehensive nature of the goal.

main purpose

Focuses on the principal reason for doing something, using simpler terms.

chief aim

Replaces "broad" with "chief", stressing the importance of the aim.

general objective

Combines "general" with "objective" for a slightly more formal tone.

principal intention

Emphasizes the foremost intent, maintaining a similar level of formality.

basic purpose

Highlights the fundamental reason, using a more straightforward expression.

underlying goal

Focuses on the fundamental aim that supports something.

FAQs

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

You can use "broad intent" to describe the general purpose or aim behind a plan, action, or policy. For example: "The "broad intent" of the program is to improve public health."

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

Alternatives include "general intention", "overarching aim", or "primary objective", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "broader intent" or "broad intent"?

"Broader intent" implies a more expansive scope compared to "broad intent". The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the extent of the intention or simply its general nature.

What is the difference between "broad intent" and "specific intent"?

"Broad intent" refers to a general aim or purpose, while "specific intent" refers to a clearly defined and particular goal. One is general and the other is particular.