broader category

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broader category" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to refer to a category which is more broadly defined than a specific one. For example: "I looked under the 'Animals' category, but the species I was looking for came under a broader category of 'Reptiles.'".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Two examples of a broader category approach are also shown.

Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology

"But now we are moving to a much broader category".

The New York Times

And within the broader category of competition from Google, the DoubleClick deal is one more factor".

The New York Times

If the elite is seen as a much broader category, that helps the likes of Goldsmith.

The Guardian - Opinion

Caution: There is also a POLIT broader category of 507 words that is used in disambiguation.

Harvard University

It's important to keep in mind the broader category of the print-impaired.

Yale University

A broader category of qualitative preferences with dependent relations among multiple attributes is widely existing, which is CP-nets.

Expert Systems with Applications

The concepts of indigenous and spontaneous vegetation are considered as subsets of the broader category, semi-natural vegetation.

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

For instance, electronics and appliance stores are now broken out, rather than being embedded in a broader category.

The New York Times

It is interesting to note that the FIT resembles a broader category of paradigms, namely the dual process models9.

Nature

In an e-mail from Austria, Mr. Geyrhalter said his work belonged in a broader category in film history.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "broader category", ensure you've clearly defined the narrower categories it encompasses to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid creating a "broader category" that completely overlaps with its subcategories. The broader category should offer a distinct, more general level of classification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broader category" functions as a noun phrase that serves to classify or categorize entities into a more inclusive group. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It clarifies the relationship between a specific item and a more general class.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "broader category" is a common and grammatically sound term used to describe a more general classification that includes several subcategories. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable across diverse fields, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. When using "broader category", it's important to clearly define the relationship between the general category and its specific subcategories to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "wider classification" or "general category" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wider classification

Changes the noun from 'category' to 'classification', emphasizing the act of classifying.

more inclusive group

Replaces 'category' with 'group' and 'broader' with 'more inclusive', highlighting the encompassing nature of the grouping.

larger classification

Substitutes 'broader' with 'larger', focusing on the size of the classification.

general category

Uses 'general' instead of 'broader', emphasizing the lack of specificity.

overarching category

Replaces 'broader' with 'overarching', stressing the category's role as a comprehensive umbrella.

encompassing group

Uses 'encompassing' to highlight the all-embracing nature of the group.

more general classification

Combines 'more general' with 'classification' to emphasize reduced specificity.

wider grouping

Replaces 'category' with 'grouping' and 'broader' with 'wider', simply changing the terms.

extensive category

Replaces 'broader' with 'extensive', emphasizing the reach or scope of the category.

umbrella term

Uses a metaphorical term to indicate a category that covers many related items.

FAQs

How do I use "broader category" in a sentence?

Use "broader category" to refer to a more general classification that includes several more specific subcategories. For instance, "While apples are a type of fruit, they fall under the "broader category" of produce".

What's a good alternative to "broader category"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "broader category" include "wider classification", "more inclusive group", or "general category".

Is it correct to say "more broad category" instead of "broader category"?

While "more broad category" might be understood, "broader category" is the idiomatic and grammatically preferred phrasing.

What is the difference between "broader category" and "specific category"?

A "broader category" encompasses a larger, more general group, while a "specific category" refers to a narrower, more defined subset within that group.