cast a broad net

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cast a broad net" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe how someone is attempting to capture a large amount of information or objects. For example, "The police department cast a broad net in their search for the missing child."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

To this end, we cast a broad net in defining artists' books, not wanting to disqualify works that could make up the outer limits of an evolving frontier.

Yale University

In particular, attempts to cast a broad net have only fueled public anger at the wealthy, who are often seen as the main culprits.

The New York Times

The museum cast a broad net for music genres, and Ms. Rutledge-Borger noted that "rock 'n' roll has its roots in many kinds of music".

The New York Times - Arts

"We want to cast a broad net to see what's out there," said Kevin M. Rampe, the new president of the development corporation.

The New York Times - Arts

But I wanted the initial criteria to be accessible, I didn't want to put my finger on the scale, and I wanted to cast a broad net".

The New Yorker

In this workshop, we will cast a broad net and include many of the perspectives on data reduction that have been developed in various fields, including computer science, statistics, applied mathematics and signal processing.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

We have more students than ever, cast a broader net for admissions that attracts more diverse students, and we continue to have them going off doing really interesting things.

Yale University

But he had cast a broader net earlier, particularly in his writings with the late Robert L. Heilbroner, a historian and the author of a classic economics book, "The Worldly Philosophers".

The New York Times

In Ankara, Marc Grossman, the undersecretary of state for political affairs, seemed to suggest that America's missile defense program would cast a broader net of protection than previously stated.

The New York Times

Stanford Professor Mehran Sahami says the addition of multi-disciplinary tracks, such as collaboration with psychology, product design, and others, helped to cast a broader net for potential CS majors.

TechCrunch

Stanford Professor Mehran Sahami says the addition of multi-disciplinary tracks, such as collaboration with psychology, product design, and others, helped to cast a broader net for potential CS majors.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cast a broad net", ensure the context clearly indicates the intention to be inclusive and comprehensive, whether it's in research, investigation, or any other field. For example, instead of vaguely stating "We need to cast a broad net", specify what you intend to include: "We need to cast a broad net in our research, including both quantitative and qualitative data".

Common error

Avoid using "cast a broad net" as an excuse for a lack of focus or direction. While it's good to be inclusive, make sure you have a clear rationale for including each element; otherwise, you risk diluting your efforts and resources. Don't "cast a broad net" without a plan.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cast a broad net" functions as an idiomatic expression. It's used as a verb phrase to describe the action of attempting to include or consider a wide range of possibilities. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a common and correct way to express this idea.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

24%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cast a broad net" is a common and grammatically sound idiomatic expression used to describe an inclusive and comprehensive approach. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It frequently appears in news, academic, and scientific contexts, indicating its versatility. When using this phrase, be sure to specify what you are including to avoid vagueness, and ensure that the broad approach is justified by your objectives. Alternatives include "take a wide approach" or "adopt a comprehensive strategy", but the original phrase effectively conveys the idea of encompassing a wide range of possibilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take a wide approach

Focuses on the breadth of the approach rather than the method of gathering.

adopt a comprehensive strategy

Emphasizes the thoroughness and planning involved.

employ an inclusive method

Highlights the act of including many elements.

cover a wide spectrum

Focuses on the range being covered.

leave no stone unturned

Implies a very thorough and exhaustive search or investigation.

explore all avenues

Focuses on investigating different paths or options.

expand the search parameters

Highlights widening the criteria for a search.

broaden the scope

Emphasizes making the scope more extensive.

widen the parameters

Focuses on making the parameters for something wider.

consider all options

Focuses on taking into account all possibilities.

FAQs

How can I use "cast a broad net" in a sentence?

You can use "cast a broad net" to describe an inclusive approach to gathering information or considering options. For instance, "The university decided to "cast a broad net" during admissions to attract a diverse student body".

What does "cast a broad net" mean?

The phrase "cast a broad net" means to try to include as many people or things as possible in a search, investigation, or other activity.

What can I say instead of "cast a broad net"?

You can use alternatives like "take a wide approach", "adopt a comprehensive strategy", or "employ an inclusive method" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "cast a broad net" or focus on a specific target?

Whether to "cast a broad net" or focus on a specific target depends on the context. If you are in the early stages of exploration or need to gather diverse perspectives, "casting a broad net" is often useful. However, if you have limited resources or a clear objective, focusing on a specific target might be more efficient.