broad pattern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broad pattern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a general or overarching trend or structure that is evident in a particular context or data set. Example: "The research revealed a broad pattern of behavior among the participants, indicating a common response to the stimulus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This shows the same broad pattern.

The New York Times

It was really about a broad pattern of anti-competitive behavior.

The New York Times

As I've said, this is only one example of a broad pattern.

The New York Times

"We were dealing here with a broad pattern, not individual acts," Krähenbühl said.

The New Yorker

It was part of a broad pattern of politicized, corrupted intelligence.

The New York Times

"We were dealing here with a broad pattern, not individual acts.

The Guardian

But there are some notable exceptions even to this broad pattern.

The Economist

That makes it harder to spot the broad pattern as concern grows over France's sluggish economy and ineffectual government.

The Economist

In any case, the broad pattern from nearly all of the studies is one of rising wealth inequality, which is the story that Piketty tells.

The New Yorker

"I think there's a broad pattern of mismanagement and corruption," said State Senator Tom Hayden, a longtime scourge of the city administration.

The New York Times

In the 1960s he developed a diagnostic method that involved viewing skin tissue at low magnification until he saw a broad pattern, which he called a silhouette.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broad pattern" to describe overarching trends or structures, especially when summarizing complex data or observations. It's effective for presenting a high-level view before diving into specifics.

Common error

Avoid using "broad pattern" as a vague placeholder. Always support your claims with specific data, instances, or evidence to give your statements credibility and depth. For example, instead of saying 'There's a broad pattern of improvement', specify 'The broad pattern of improvement is evident in the 20% increase in test scores across all schools'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broad pattern" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a general or overarching trend, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples. The word "broad" modifies "pattern", indicating its wide scope and general nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "broad pattern" is a versatile and frequently used term for describing general trends or structures. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and commonly found in both news and scientific contexts. While widely applicable, it's crucial to support its use with concrete examples to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "extensive pattern" and "comprehensive pattern" offer similar meanings with subtle differences. Remember, this phrase provides a high-level view, setting the stage for more detailed analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extensive pattern

Emphasizes the wide scope and reach of the pattern.

comprehensive pattern

Highlights the thoroughness and completeness of the observed trend.

generalized pattern

Focuses on the overall and simplified nature of the pattern.

widespread pattern

Indicates the common occurrence and distribution of the pattern.

substantial pattern

Highlights the significant and considerable nature of the pattern.

large pattern

Emphasizes the significant size or scale of the pattern.

broad trend

Refers to a general direction or tendency, similar to a pattern.

general scheme

Implies a wide-ranging arrangement or system.

overarching trend

Emphasizes that trend is of high-level and covers many aspects.

general tendency

Highlights prevailing direction of a phenomenon.

FAQs

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

You can use "broad pattern" to describe a general trend or structure observed across a dataset or a series of events. For example, "The data reveals a "broad pattern" of increased sales during the holiday season".

What phrases are similar to "broad pattern"?

Similar phrases include "extensive pattern", "comprehensive pattern", or "generalized pattern", each offering slightly different nuances in meaning.

Is "broad pattern" formal or informal?

"Broad pattern" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its use depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What is the difference between "broad pattern" and "specific trend"?

"Broad pattern" refers to a general overview or high-level trend, while "specific trend" points to a particular, well-defined movement or change. A "broad pattern" might encompass several specific trends.