give a broad idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give a broad idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to provide a general overview or summary of a topic without going into specific details. Example: "In this presentation, I will give a broad idea of our marketing strategy for the upcoming year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Their activities are only partially captured by the publication of ministerial diaries, which simply show formal, scheduled meetings with ministers and give a broad idea of the discussion subject.

The Guardian

Statistics can only give a broad idea.

BBC

To give a broad idea of the situation, estimates from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and DevelOECDnt (OECD, 2008), reveal that more than one half of OECD countries have a stock of immigrants that exceeds 10% of their total population.

IZA Journal of Migration

Although serologic identification of specific serovars by using microscopic agglutination testing can only give a broad idea of the common serovars in a certain population and has to be interpreted cautiously (34), our data indicate a principal shift from agriculture-related serovars to those primarily related to nonoccupational modes of transmission, with rats as their principal vector.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Thanks to Christine Heidemann, the curator of the show's new Berlin section, 60 items have been added to the retrospective to give a broader idea of what went on during Mr Bowie's stint in the German city between 1976 and 1978.Many items refer to Iggy Pop, whom Mr Bowie lived with.

The Economist

However, letgo Reveal isn't capable of differentiating different models of devices – it's meant to give a broader idea.

TechCrunch

Also, it facilitates the identification of fragmented or deteriorated sequences of a given family, which in turn gives a broader idea of the structural diversity within the TE landscape of the genome.

BMC Genomics

Our next generation sequencing data of one or two horses of different populations each gives us a broad idea of how diverse domestic horses really are.

BMC Genomics

This broad range of H2O2 concentration was used to have a broad idea about the linearity of the dose curve of H2O2 with the given HVA and HRP concentration.

BioMed Research International

They were also given a broad spectrum antibiotics.

Huffington Post

It gives a broader, more full world.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "give a broad idea", ensure that you follow up with more specific details if the context requires a deeper understanding. This phrase sets expectations for a general overview.

Common error

Avoid using "give a broad idea" as a substitute for providing substantial information. It's more effective as an introductory phrase that precedes a more detailed explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give a broad idea" functions as an introductory phrase to signal that a speaker or writer will provide a general overview or summary of a particular topic, without delving into intricate details. Ludwig confirms that the expression is correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "give a broad idea" is a common and grammatically sound way to introduce a general overview of a topic, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its function is to set expectations for a high-level summary, suitable for diverse contexts from news and media to science and academia. While versatile, it's crucial to follow up with sufficient detail, as needed. Alternatives like "provide a general overview" or "offer a basic understanding" can add nuance. The phrase maintains a neutral register and is widely recognized across authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide a general overview

Focuses on providing a summary, emphasizing the overview aspect.

offer a basic understanding

Highlights imparting a fundamental comprehension of a topic.

present a general outline

Stresses the structuring aspect of conveying information in a summarized form.

share a simplified perspective

Emphasizes making complex topics easier to grasp.

sketch the main points

Implies quickly outlining the essential aspects.

convey a rough picture

Suggests providing an approximate and not fully detailed understanding.

impart a preliminary sense

Highlights the initial and introductory nature of the information shared.

outline the key aspects

Focuses on the most important parts or features of a subject.

depict the general shape

Uses a visual metaphor to describe giving an overview of something.

offer a bird's-eye view

Indicates providing a high-level, comprehensive perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "give a broad idea" in a sentence?

You can use "give a broad idea" to introduce a general overview of a topic, such as, "In this presentation, I'll "give a broad idea" of our new marketing strategy."

What are some alternatives to "give a broad idea"?

Alternatives include "provide a general overview", "offer a basic understanding", or "present a general outline", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "give a broad idea" in formal writing?

Yes, "give a broad idea" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when introducing a topic that will be further elaborated on. However, consider using more formal alternatives like "provide a comprehensive summary" for added gravitas.

What's the difference between "give a broad idea" and "give a detailed explanation"?

"Give a broad idea" implies a general overview without deep specifics, while "give a detailed explanation" suggests a thorough and comprehensive analysis. The choice depends on the level of information required by your audience.