broadly

USAGE SUMMARY

'broadly' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used when making general statements or when expressing an idea in a general sense. Example sentence: The public reaction to the new policy was broadly positive.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nasdaq's rules state broadly that independent directors cannot have a relationship that "would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director".

The New York Times

She insists she feels broadly hopeful about the role of her five parishes, but optimism in this context calls for a determination to look on the bright side.

The Guardian

But it has been broadly effective, and it has proved the ability of nations to work together in the face of a common threat.

The Guardian - Opinion

The only one that doesn't support a broadly conservative social and economic agenda is the "cannabis is less dangerous than alcohol" party.

The Guardian

More broadly, this wire report succumbs to the senseless rehashing of celebrity stories about ghost writing.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Pfizer, as I said earlier (see 2.14pm), it felt broadly like a draw.

The Guardian

We need to improve the quality of services and meet rising demand – driven by an ageing population and rising levels of long term illness – from broadly flat, real terms budgets.

The Guardian

There was little detail in the first estimate of GDP from the statistics agency, Eurostat, but individual country reports suggested expansion was broadly driven by demand at home rather than abroad.

The Guardian - Business

Whether or not this was true (and there was no independent inquiry), what happened next is broadly clear.

The Guardian

That followed a January 2014 finding by the Obama-appointed watchdogs at the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board that bulk phone records collection had not stopped terrorist attacks and had "limited value" in combatting terrorism more broadly.

The Guardian

In the world of big law, equity partnership is broadly equivalent to being on a board of directors.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "broadly" with verbs that suggest scope, such as "defined", "understood", or "applied", to clearly indicate the range of the subject being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "broadly" excessively in formal writing where precise language is essential. Replace it with more specific terms to enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "broadly" is as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate the extent or scope of an action or description. Ludwig AI indicates that "broadly" is a valid word to use when expressing general statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broadly" functions as an adverb to express a general or wide scope, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its grammatical status is correct, and it appears very commonly across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using "broadly", aim for clarity and avoid overuse in formal contexts where precision is key. Consider using alternative phrases like "generally speaking" or "on the whole" for variety. As Ludwig AI suggests, "broadly" is suitable for making general statements, contributing to its frequent appearance in sources like The Guardian and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally speaking

Emphasizes the overall trend or common condition, differing slightly from "broadly" which can also describe scope.

in general terms

Focuses on expressing something without specific details, unlike "broadly" which implies a wide range.

by and large

Highlights that something is true for the most part, whereas "broadly" may not always imply this near-totality.

on the whole

Similar to "by and large", suggesting an overall assessment rather than just a wide perspective.

in a general way

Directly indicates a lack of specificity, whereas "broadly" can also imply liberality or width.

to a large extent

Indicates degree or proportion, which is slightly different from the all-encompassing sense of "broadly".

for the most part

Similar to "by and large", suggesting something is mostly true but not necessarily in every aspect.

in essence

Focuses on the fundamental nature of something, a different emphasis from the scope indicated by "broadly".

largely speaking

Similar to 'generally speaking' but has a less formal and more conversational tone.

speaking generally

Directly emphasizes a general perspective or statement, differing from "broadly" which can imply wide scope.

FAQs

How can I use "broadly" in a sentence?

You can use "broadly" to express a general statement or overview. For example, "The new regulations are "broadly defined" to cover a wide range of activities".

What are some alternatives to "broadly"?

Alternatives to "broadly" include "generally speaking", "in general terms", or "on the whole depending" on the context.

Is it correct to say "broadly speaking"?

Yes, "broadly speaking" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It's used to introduce a generalization or summary.

What is the difference between "broadly" and "widely"?

"Broadly" refers to the scope or extent of something, while "widely" refers to the degree to which something is known or accepted. For example, an idea may be "broadly applicable" but not "widely" known.