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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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broader and specific

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broader and specific" is not correct as it presents a contradiction in terms.
You can use it when discussing concepts that are both general and detailed, but it would need rephrasing for clarity. Example: "The research aims to address broader themes while also providing specific case studies."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Two categories of the scope of impact were identified, broader and specific.

Science

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Community is a hybrid of broad and specific elements.

Having now done so, Justice O'Connor has raised tough questions, both broad and specific.

News & Media

The New York Times

Consensus is growing on the role of broad and specific health determinants, including health care, as well as on priority setting based on the burden of diseases.

In order for women who are parents to have agency and viable career choices in academia, a broad and specific organizational change must occur that emphasizes people's personal and emotional needs as well as their professional obligations and aspirations.

For this purpose, a theoretical framework has been proposed based on previous studies and a pilot survey that provides broad and specific variables that might have an impact of these practices.

The rabbi answers: Do we?" Both artists explore inquisitive impulse in relationship to the Jewish identity, in both broad and specific settings.

News & Media

Huffington Post

A range of broad and specific probes were employed and these were obtained from MWG Biotech (Ebersberg, Germany).

Science

Plosone

The proposed actions for member states under the Action Plan were a mixture of broad and specific.

The gain-of-content knowledge assessment tool consisted of questions both broad and specific in nature.

We also needed a way to allow users to navigate between broad and specific disease levels.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace the contradictory phrase "broader and specific" with more precise alternatives like "general and detailed" or "wide-ranging and precise" to avoid confusing your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "broader and specific" when describing strategies or requirements. The phrase suggests a contradiction and can undermine the clarity and effectiveness of your communication. Opt for clearer, more descriptive terms.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

80%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broader and specific" functions as a compound adjective aiming to describe something that encompasses both wide-ranging and precise elements. However, it is flagged by Ludwig AI as not correct because of the contradiction of the terms, making the message potentially unclear.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "broader and specific" is used to express a combination of general and detailed aspects, it's considered grammatically incorrect due to the contradictory nature of the terms. Ludwig AI flags it as needing rephrasing for clarity. The phrase appears across various contexts, including science, news, and formal settings, but its infrequent usage and potential for confusion suggest that writers should opt for clearer alternatives such as "general and detailed" or "wide-ranging and precise" to ensure effective communication. Despite the various contexts where the phrase is found, it is important to prioritize clarity and precision in writing.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "broader and specific"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "general and detailed", "wide-ranging and precise", or "comprehensive and particular" to convey a combination of general and detailed aspects.

Is it grammatically correct to use "broader and specific"?

While the phrase "broader and specific" appears in some contexts, it presents a contradiction in terms. It's generally advisable to use more precise language to avoid confusion.

How can I use "broader and specific" in a sentence correctly?

It's recommended to avoid using "broader and specific" directly. Instead, rephrase your sentence to clearly indicate both the general and detailed aspects you're discussing. For example, "The research addresses "broader themes" while also examining "specific case studies"".

What does "broader and specific" mean?

The phrase "broader and specific" attempts to convey the idea of encompassing both general, wide-ranging aspects and particular, detailed aspects. However, the combination can be contradictory, so it's best to use more precise language to communicate your intended meaning.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: