broad latitude

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broad latitude" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a wide range of options or flexibility in decision-making or actions. Example: "The manager gave the team broad latitude to explore innovative solutions for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Still, it leaves him with broad latitude.

The New York Times

Legal agreements give the United States broad latitude in such matters.

The New York Times

He said a police commissioner should get "broad latitude" in a post-terrorist era.

The New York Times

The Constitution provides broad latitude to states to determine how to allocate their electoral votes.

The New York Times

The new committee was tasked with investigating the procurement system and given broad latitude to act.

The New York Times

Still, many House Democrats criticized the reach of the current resolution and the broad latitude it would give the president.

The New York Times

Reflecting a very different sensibility from his opinion in Casey, Kennedy appeared to give legislators broad latitude to regulate abortion.

The New Yorker

Pro forma earnings have been widely criticized because companies have had broad latitude to define them as they see fit.

The New York Times

His rigorous artlessness, along with a keen historical conscience, permits broad latitude of subject matter within a straitening aesthetic.

The New York Times - Books

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon seldom speaks about economic issues at length and has granted Mr. Netanyahu, 55, broad latitude to handle financial affairs.

The New York Times

Mr. Bryant's lawsuit mostly involves suspicions, not hard evidence of collusion, and asks the court for broad latitude to discover evidence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broad latitude" to denote a significant degree of freedom or discretion granted to an individual or entity. For example, "The project manager was given "broad latitude" to allocate resources as needed."

Common error

Avoid assuming that "broad latitude" implies unlimited power. It suggests flexibility within certain parameters, not absolute authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broad latitude" functions as a noun phrase, where 'broad' modifies 'latitude'. It describes the extent or degree of freedom granted to someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and widely used, particularly when referring to decision-making or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "broad latitude" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression signifying a wide range of freedom or discretion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's commonly found in formal and news contexts. When using the expression, it's vital to remember it suggests flexibility within certain parameters, not unlimited authority. Alternatives like "wide discretion", "ample leeway", and "extensive freedom" can be used based on the specific context. Its high frequency and presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscore its reliability in professional and formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wide discretion

Emphasizes the power to make decisions based on one's own judgment.

ample leeway

Highlights the availability of sufficient space or time for maneuver.

extensive freedom

Stresses the comprehensive nature of the liberty granted.

considerable scope

Indicates a significant extent or range of opportunity.

significant flexibility

Focuses on the adaptability and variability allowed.

full authority

Highlights the complete power to act or decide.

open mandate

Suggests a clear authorization with few restrictions.

free rein

Implies unrestricted control or freedom of action.

carte blanche

Indicates complete freedom to act as one wishes.

permissive framework

Refers to a system that allows a wide range of actions without strict limitations.

FAQs

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

You can use "broad latitude" to indicate that someone has a lot of freedom or flexibility in how they do something. For instance, "The new policy gives employees "broad latitude" in managing their schedules."

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

Alternatives include "wide discretion", "ample leeway", or "extensive freedom", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "wide latitude" instead of "broad latitude"?

While "wide latitude" isn't inherently incorrect, "broad latitude" is the more common and idiomatic expression. Using "broad latitude" tends to sound more natural.

In what contexts is "broad latitude" typically used?

"Broad latitude" is often used in formal or professional contexts to describe the extent of authority or flexibility granted to someone, such as in legal, political, or business settings. For example, 'The judge granted the lawyers "broad latitude" in presenting their case.'