has a narrower scope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has a narrower scope" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that something (e.g. a task, a definition, an action, etc.) is limited to a smaller area or range than something else. For example, "This new policy has a narrower scope than the previous policy, meaning it only applies in certain circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"You're saying, 'In every possible world, everything is physical.' " In Sentence 2, "Everything is necessarily physical," "necessarily" has a narrower scope: it ignores the merely possible and attends only to what actually exists.

The New York Times

Another straight-from-China show this season, "The Emperor's Private Paradise: Treasures From the Forbidden City," which has its debut at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Mass., on Sept. 14, has a narrower scope: the reign of a single 18th-century Qing dynasty ruler.

The New York Times - Arts

Hutchinson said Wednesday he wants state lawmakers to rewrite Arkansas' bill to make it more consistent with the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which has a narrower scope.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

So Mr. Obama's "pause" had a narrower scope, was in response to a specific episode and does not appear to have been fully implemented.

The New York Times

While they are more precise, and thus may be more valid than much of psychoanalytic theory, experiments perforce have a narrower scope than the grand sweep of psychoanalysis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Limited Plans have a narrower scope than that of "tailored plans" ("Tailored Plans"), which limit many of the rule's requirements to a filer's parent and its non‑banking material entities and operations.

Columbia University

The research studies considered, as reported in published articles mainly under the aegis of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), have a narrow scope in that they test only 3 or 4 rice varieties under different soil moisture treatments obtained with controlled irrigation, but with other agronomic factors of production held as constant.

Agricultural Water Management

Traditionally they had had a narrow scope of responsibilities, often limited to managing the relationship with the unionized workforce, ensuring compliance with national/provincial policies on recruitment and deployment of personnel, and organizing continuing education activities [ 56].

Human Resources for Health

So it has created a narrower scope in a way and also that today people are sicker than 20 years ago.

Health Policy and Planning

Coburn's [ 16] evaluation of the chiropractic profession in Ontario, Canada indicates that the bid for legitimation has resulted in a narrower scope of practice, such that chiropractors have evolved from direct competition with medicine to that of spine specialists in health care teams.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The semantic inheritance network theory has a intentionally narrower scope: the initial nodes of the network represent particular individuals, and all non-initial nodes represent kinds, categories or properties.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two concepts, clearly specify both to highlight the difference in their scope. For example, "While the first study examined all European countries, this study "has a narrower scope", focusing only on the UK and France."

Common error

Avoid using "has a narrower scope" without providing a clear point of comparison. Without context, the phrase lacks meaning. Always specify what the scope is narrower than.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has a narrower scope" functions as a descriptive phrase, primarily used to indicate a limitation or specific focus when comparing different entities or concepts. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, confirming its grammatical validity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has a narrower scope" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to denote a more limited or specific focus. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, ensuring its appropriateness across different communication styles. The phrase commonly appears in news, scientific, and academic contexts to specify the boundaries of a topic or study. Related phrases include "is more limited in scope" and "covers a smaller area". When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide a clear point of comparison to enhance understanding. Common errors include omitting the comparative context, which can render the statement vague. By adhering to these guidelines, writers can effectively use "has a narrower scope" to ensure clarity and precision in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is more limited in scope

Focuses on the limitation aspect; slightly more direct.

is more restricted in extent

Emphasizes the limitation of the area covered.

covers a smaller area

Focuses on the spatial aspect of the scope.

is more tightly defined

Highlights the precision and clarity of the scope's boundaries.

is more focused in its application

Highlights the concentration of the scope on specific tasks.

is more specific in its details

Emphasizes the clarity and preciseness within the scope.

has a more precise range

Indicates a more accurate and defined boundary.

is circumscribed to

Implies a boundary or limit is actively imposed.

is bounded by

Indicates that the scope is defined by clear and distinct boundaries.

is contained within

Suggests the scope is fully enclosed or limited by something else.

FAQs

How can I use "has a narrower scope" in a sentence?

Use "has a narrower scope" to indicate that something is more limited or specific than something else. For instance, "This project "has a narrower scope" than the previous one, focusing solely on software development."

What's the difference between "has a narrower scope" and "has a limited scope"?

"Has a narrower scope" implies a comparison to something else, suggesting it's more restricted than another entity. "Has a limited scope" simply means the subject's range is small, without necessarily comparing it to anything. You could also use "has a specific scope" in certain contexts.

What are some alternatives to "has a narrower scope"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "is more limited in scope", "is more restricted in extent", or "covers a smaller area" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always necessary to specify what the scope is narrower than when using "has a narrower scope"?

While not always grammatically required, providing a point of comparison is crucial for clarity. Without it, the reader might not understand the intended limitation. Ensure the context makes the comparison clear, or explicitly state what the scope is narrower than.