excessively broad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessively broad" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe something that has a scope that is too large or broad. For example: "The new regulations are excessively broad and do not address specific problems."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

So where do complaints of an excessively broad agenda fit into all this?

The New York Times

A Federal District Court ruled the search violated the Fourth Amendment because the warrant was excessively broad.

The New York Times

In a report published on Friday, the 18-strong United Nations committee for human rights warned that the surveillance powers granted to French intelligence agencies were "excessively broad".

The Guardian

France's constitutional council, with minor tweaks, approved the increased surveillance powers in July – powers described by the UN as "excessively broad".

The Guardian

But as with most exhibitions here, it also a bit of a mess; the selection is a hodgepodge, and an excessively broad one, ranging over five centuries.

The New York Times

But opponents of the program fear that it will become an excessively broad dragnet that fractures families and erodes trust between law-enforcement agencies and immigrants.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Critics say it is overly broad and excessively punitive, meting out stiff prison terms for some computer-related crimes they deem relatively innocuous.

Huffington Post

"The examination relies excessively on multiple-choice questions that test too broad a range of subjects, and, as a result, places an undue premium on memory skills".

The New York Times

In 2014, federal court decisions calling the State to account for overly broad restrictions on concealed weapons permits and excessively arbitrary waiting periods speak to a continuing quest for legal balance in this arena.

Huffington Post

So not excessively excessive.

BBC

Characteristics of HIV programs have been changing from excessively vertical approaches to broader programs that increasingly recognize the importance of strengthening health systems [ 34, 35].

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excessively broad", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific limitations or narrower focus would be more appropriate. Be specific about the negative consequences of the excessive breadth.

Common error

Avoid using "excessively broad" as a general criticism without suggesting a more effective alternative scope. Simply stating that something is too broad does not inherently make it wrong; explain why a narrower focus would yield better results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessively broad" functions primarily as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase. It serves to describe and characterize a noun, indicating that the noun's scope, range, or extent is beyond what is considered appropriate or necessary. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "excessively broad" is a commonly used and grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to express that something has too wide a scope or range. According to Ludwig AI, its primary function is critical and evaluative, often expressing concern about the potential negative consequences of this excessive breadth. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using "excessively broad", be sure to clearly articulate why a narrower focus is needed. Consider using alternatives like "unjustifiably broad" or "overly encompassing" to fine-tune the specific nuance. In short, the phrase is a useful tool for expressing critique, but requires precision and clarity for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unjustifiably broad

Directly questions the justification for the breadth, replacing "excessively" with "unjustifiably".

inappropriately broad

Suggests that the breadth is not suitable or fitting for the situation, replacing "excessively" with "inappropriately".

unreasonably wide

Replaces "broad" with "wide" and "excessively" with "unreasonably", implying a lack of justification for the breadth.

unduly extensive

Substitutes "broad" with "extensive" and "excessively" with "unduly", focusing on the inappropriate reach or scope.

overly encompassing

Replaces "broad" with "encompassing" and "excessively" with "overly", emphasizing the all-inclusive nature in a negative way.

inordinately wide-ranging

Uses "wide-ranging" instead of "broad" and "inordinately" instead of "excessively", highlighting the excessive variety covered.

gratuitously inclusive

Emphasizes the unnecessary inclusion of elements, swapping "broad" for "inclusive" and "excessively" for "gratuitously".

needlessly comprehensive

Focuses on the lack of necessity for the scope, using "comprehensive" instead of "broad" and "needlessly" instead of "excessively".

disproportionately expansive

Highlights the imbalance in scale, replacing "broad" with "expansive" and "excessively" with "disproportionately".

overly generalized

Shifts the focus to the lack of specificity, using "generalized" as an alternative to "broad" and "overly" instead of "excessively".

FAQs

How can I use "excessively broad" in a sentence?

You can use "excessively broad" to describe laws, definitions, or approaches that cover too much ground, leading to unintended consequences or a lack of precision. For example: "The new law is "excessively broad", potentially affecting individuals it was not intended to target."

What are some alternatives to saying "excessively broad"?

Alternatives include "unjustifiably broad", "inappropriately broad", or "overly encompassing". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the term "excessively broad"?

It's appropriate when criticizing something for being too general or all-encompassing, leading to inefficiency, unfairness, or unintended consequences. This applies to definitions, policies, legal statutes, and even strategic plans.

Is there a difference between "excessively broad" and "too broad"?

While similar, "excessively broad" suggests a greater degree of overreach than "too broad". "Too broad" simply indicates that the scope is wider than necessary, while "excessively broad" implies that the excessive scope causes problems or negative outcomes.