broadly speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

"broadly speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to express the idea that you are generalizing about a concept or summarizing the overall situation. For example, "Broadly speaking, the economy has been growing steadily."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But broadly speaking, it's true.

The New York Times - Arts

There are, broadly speaking, two solutions.

The New York Times

First it is broadly speaking true.

The Economist

Broadly speaking, Australians aren't walkers.

The Guardian - Sport

And, broadly speaking, he did.

The Guardian - Opinion

But broadly speaking, they're not that different.

The New York Times

It's not about genocides broadly speaking.

The Guardian - Books

And broadly speaking I would agree.

The Guardian - Opinion

Broadly speaking, they are redolent of cherries, raspberries and watermelon.

The New York Times

Broadly speaking, women are accosted more often than men.

The New York Times

Bryant's singular career can be quartered, broadly speaking.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broadly speaking" to introduce a generalization or summary, especially when you want to acknowledge that there might be exceptions or nuances. It is appropriate for setting the stage for more detailed explanations.

Common error

Avoid using "broadly speaking" too frequently in a single piece of writing, as it can make your arguments seem simplistic or lacking in specific evidence. Balance generalizations with concrete examples and data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broadly speaking" functions as a discourse marker, specifically an adverbial phrase that modifies the entire sentence or clause. It signals that the speaker or writer is making a generalization or providing a summary overview of a topic. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "broadly speaking" is a commonly used adverbial phrase that serves to introduce a generalization or summary statement. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. The phrase is prevalent in news and media, scientific writing, and encyclopedic content. It maintains a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communication where a general overview is needed. Related phrases include "generally speaking" and "in general terms". When employing "broadly speaking", it's advisable to balance general statements with specific examples to avoid oversimplification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally speaking

Emphasizes a general truth or widely accepted idea; very similar in meaning.

speaking generally

Mirrors the original phrase but with a slight shift in emphasis.

in general terms

Focuses on describing something without getting into specific details.

on the whole

Highlights an overall impression or summary after considering all aspects.

by and large

Indicates that something is mostly true, with some exceptions.

as a rule

Expresses what usually happens or is typically the case.

for the most part

Highlights that something is mainly or predominantly true.

in most cases

Indicates that something is true in the majority of situations.

in general

A more concise way of expressing a general truth or overview.

overall

Summarizes the situation, presenting a general view.

FAQs

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

"Broadly speaking" is used to introduce a general statement or summary, such as, "Broadly speaking, the company's profits have increased this year."

What are some alternatives to "broadly speaking"?

You can use alternatives like "generally speaking", "in general terms", or "on the whole" to introduce a generalization.

Is "broadly speaking" formal or informal?

"Broadly speaking" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in written or spoken communication where a degree of generality is acceptable.

How does "broadly speaking" differ from "specifically speaking"?

"Broadly speaking" introduces a generalization, while "specifically speaking" narrows the focus to a particular detail or example. They serve opposite functions in communication.