broad topic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broad topic" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a subject that has many related topics or ideas, or when you are referring to a subject that is very general and not specific. For example, "The teacher gave us a broad topic for our research paper: the history of the Civil War."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Luckily, Ms. Craven said, "architecture is a nice, broad topic".

The New York Times

The broad topic was whether the Catholic Church should reposition itself, and how.

The New York Times

The City of Paris had a competition, "Intelligent Furniture," a very broad topic.

The New York Times

The site's home page is organized into eight broad topic areas and one specific to east central Illinois.

The New York Times

After that, it helps explain how to narrow a broad topic and use Times resources to learn about it.

The New York Times

At the June event where he spoke about health care, Mr. Romney also brought up the broad topic of regulation.

The New York Times

But the notion of the lecture, and its broad topic, makes Myron and Bonnie metaphysically reflective, and Pearlman's story contracts and expands its perspectives to accommodate such reflection.

The New Yorker

And the City Council is planning to hold a hearing on the broad topic of safety in the city's public housing complexes.

The New York Times

Part of the larger series "Extracurricular Activity Projective Reconstruction," it tackles the broad topic of education in America, meditating on repression, trauma and inequality.

The New York Times

Granulation in itself is a broad topic.

Handbook of Powder Technology

Emerson: I think diversity is a pretty broad topic.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing a "broad topic" in writing, immediately follow with a sentence or two that narrows the focus to a more manageable scope for your audience.

Common error

Avoid assuming your audience has prior knowledge of a "broad topic". Provide sufficient context and definitions to ensure understanding and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broad topic" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a general area of discussion or study, as evidenced by Ludwig examples related to research, education, and public discourse.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

52%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broad topic" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that introduces a general area of discussion. According to Ludwig, it serves to set the stage for more specific explorations. It maintains a neutral tone and is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and wiki-based content. When using "broad topic", remember to follow up with more specific details to focus your message. The analysis confirms the phrase's correctness and wide applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broad theme

Replaces 'topic' with 'theme', emphasizing the underlying idea or message.

extensive topic

Substitutes 'broad' with 'extensive', highlighting the comprehensiveness of the subject.

vast topic

Uses 'vast' instead of 'broad', emphasizing the scale and scope of the topic.

widespread topic

Replaces 'broad' with 'widespread', suggesting the topic is widely discussed or relevant.

substantial topic

Substitutes 'broad' with 'substantial', indicating the topic has significant depth or importance.

general subject

Replaces both words to provide an alternative applicable in wider contexts.

overarching theme

Replaces both words to indicate a major and encompassing subject.

wide-ranging subject

Focuses on the extent of the covered material.

inclusive subject

Replaces 'broad' with 'inclusive', emphasizing that the subject covers a lot of specific areas.

comprehensive subject

Suggests the subject covers all or many relevant areas.

FAQs

How can I effectively introduce a "broad topic" in a presentation?

Start with a compelling hook or anecdote that relates to the "broad topic", then provide a clear overview of the specific aspects you will be discussing to maintain audience interest.

What are some strategies for narrowing down a "broad topic" for a research paper?

Consider focusing on a specific time period, geographical region, or sub-topic within the "broad topic". You can also use the /s/research+question to guide your inquiry.

How does a "broad topic" differ from a specific topic?

A "broad topic" encompasses a wide range of ideas and sub-topics, while a specific topic is more focused and defined. For example, 'environmental science' is a "broad topic", while 'the effects of microplastics on marine life' is more specific.

What can I say instead of "broad topic"?

You can use alternatives like "broad theme", "extensive topic", or "general subject" depending on the specific context.