broadly construed

USAGE SUMMARY

"broadly construed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something should be interpreted in a broad or expansive manner. For example: "The term 'animal' is broadly construed to include both vertebrates and invertebrates."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But anarchism, broadly construed, is becoming fashionable.

The New York Times - Arts

Broadly construed, it describes nearly any series of events that sound connected; narrowly defined, it refers to sonata form.

The New York Times - Arts

Of the money the Kochs have spent on politics, broadly construed, the portion directed to campaigns really is negligible.

The Economist

The Style If the river and the underworld of necromancy establish the mood of this town, then jazz, broadly construed, defines its style: swaggering, swinging, sexy.

The New York Times - Magazine

For the National Rifle Association, the issue in the Voisine case was the question of "recklessness," and whether that term was too broadly construed.

The New Yorker

One question that I wished you'd gone into (though, to be fair, I haven't seen any other journalist explore either) is Wallace's religious orientation/praxis/beliefs, broadly construed.

The New Yorker

Critics said that authority, broadly construed, could apply to heart drugs or diabetes, for example, should the secretary declare heart disease or diabetes an epidemic.

The New York Times

The definition of an interstate wire transmission has also been broadly construed by the federal courts, making wire fraud particularly useful in cases involving manipulation of information.

The New York Times

The statute only requires that the violation affect a financial institution, a term that has been broadly construed in recent district court decisions.

The New York Times

But can constitutional principles, even broadly construed, include some derived from George Washington's presidency, or Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, as Amar suggests?

The New York Times - Books

A former features editor of British Vogue, Picardie uses fashion, however broadly construed, as her version of Proust's madeleine, the occasion to go in search of lost time and lost people.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broadly construed" when you want to indicate that a term, concept, or rule should be interpreted in a wide or inclusive manner, encompassing various related aspects or perspectives. For example, "The term 'family' is broadly construed to include not only immediate relatives but also close friends and long-term partners."

Common error

Avoid using "broadly construed" in highly informal or casual writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or pretentious in contexts where simpler language would be more appropriate. Opt for phrases like "generally understood" or "in a general sense" for more casual communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broadly construed" functions as an adverbial modifier that qualifies how a term or concept is to be understood. It indicates that the interpretation should be inclusive, encompassing a wide range of related meanings or applications. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broadly construed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signals an expansive interpretation of a term or concept. According to Ludwig AI, its primary function is to modify how something is understood, promoting a comprehensive and inclusive view. It's most appropriate for formal and scientific contexts, where precise yet inclusive language is valued. While versatile, it's best to avoid it in highly informal settings where simpler language suffices. Alternatives include "liberally interpreted" or "widely understood". The phrase is seen in authoritative sources such as The New York Times, The New Yorker, and scientific journals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

construed expansively

Synonymous, but replaces "broadly" with "expansively", focusing on the expanding scope of interpretation.

liberally interpreted

Focuses on the freedom of interpretation, similar to "broadly construed" but emphasizes the leniency of the interpretation.

widely understood

Emphasizes common understanding rather than the act of interpreting.

generally accepted

Highlights the acceptance of an interpretation by a larger group.

extensively defined

Focuses on the detailed nature of the definition, implying a broad scope.

comprehensively understood

Stresses the completeness of the understanding, covering all aspects.

interpreted loosely

Emphasizes the lack of strictness in the interpretation.

generously interpreted

Implies a benevolent or favorable approach to interpretation.

taken in a wide sense

Highlights the expansive nature of the meaning.

understood inclusively

Focuses on including various elements within the interpretation.

FAQs

How can I use "broadly construed" in a sentence?

You can use "broadly construed" to indicate that a term or concept should be interpreted in a wide or inclusive manner. For example, "The term 'well-being' is "broadly construed" to include physical, mental, and social aspects.".

What are some alternatives to "broadly construed"?

Alternatives to "broadly construed" include "liberally interpreted", "widely understood", or "generally accepted", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "broadly construed" in formal writing?

Yes, "broadly construed" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in legal, academic, and professional contexts where precise yet inclusive language is necessary. It signals that a term or rule should not be interpreted narrowly.

What's the difference between "broadly construed" and "strictly construed"?

"Broadly construed" means interpreted in a wide or inclusive manner, while "strictly construed" means interpreted narrowly and literally. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize an expansive or limited scope of interpretation.