fairly broad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly broad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a wide range or scope, often in a moderate sense. Example: "The topic of discussion is fairly broad, covering various aspects of environmental science."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

So it's fairly broad.

The New York Times

The humor is effective, if fairly broad.

The New Yorker

She opted for a fairly broad degree.

The Guardian - Money

The decline was fairly broad, including toys, clothing and electronics.

The New York Times

The souring sentiment around corporate profits has been fairly broad.

The New York Times

Yet in Scotland, the proposals have fairly broad support.

The Guardian

The tempos in this performance are fairly broad.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

A sample of 100 articles was obtained using fairly broad inclusion criteria.

British Journal of Cancer

And I think I can safely say I'm a fairly broad-minded individual.

The Guardian - Books

The decline was fairly broad-based, with output dropping for primary metals and electronics.

The New York Times

Thus, we can be confident that a fairly broad literature base was covered thoroughly.

Biological Reviews

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "fairly broad", follow it with specific examples or details to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly broad" as a standalone descriptor without providing context. Saying "the topic is fairly broad" is less effective than specifying which areas the topic covers. Add details to clarify the scope and prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly broad" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, where "fairly" modifies the adjective "broad". It serves to qualify or moderate the extent of the adjective, indicating a degree of broadness that is not extreme but significant. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly broad" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a scope or range that is moderately wide. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to qualify the adjective "broad", indicating a degree of inclusiveness without exaggeration. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal writing. To enhance clarity, follow "fairly broad" with specifics. Alternatives such as "quite wide" or "reasonably extensive" can be considered for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly extensive

Similar to "fairly broad" but emphasizes the extent or reach of something.

quite wide

Emphasizes the extent of something being wide, with "quite" suggesting a notable degree.

reasonably wide

"Reasonably" implies a degree of wideness that is considered acceptable or sufficient.

reasonably extensive

"Reasonably" implies a degree of extent that is considered acceptable or sufficient.

quite inclusive

Emphasizes the inclusion aspect, with "quite" suggesting a notable degree of inclusion.

moderately wide

"Moderately" suggests a medium level of wideness or scope.

somewhat wide

Focuses on the wideness of something, with "somewhat" indicating a partial but significant degree.

moderately comprehensive

"Moderately" suggests a medium level of completeness or comprehensiveness.

somewhat comprehensive

Focuses on the completeness of something, with "somewhat" indicating a partial but significant degree.

relatively inclusive

Highlights the aspect of inclusion, with "relatively" suggesting a comparison to other possible levels of inclusiveness.

FAQs

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

You can use "fairly broad" to describe the scope or range of something. For example, "The curriculum covers a "fairly broad" range of topics" or "The term has a "fairly broad" interpretation depending on the context."

What are some alternatives to "fairly broad"?

Some alternatives to "fairly broad" include "quite wide", "reasonably extensive", "moderately wide", or "somewhat comprehensive depending on the specific meaning you want to convey".

When is it appropriate to use "fairly broad" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "fairly broad" when you want to indicate that something has a wide scope, but not to an extreme degree. It suggests a moderate level of inclusivity or coverage.

Is "fairly broad" considered formal or informal language?

"Fairly broad" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.