in vast terms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in vast terms" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used when discussing broad or extensive concepts, but it would be better to clarify the intended meaning. Example: "When considering the impact of climate change, we must think in vast terms about its effects on future generations."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Seems all that photography of landscapes has the Instagram team thinking in "vast" terms.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Later, as he became crazier, he did see questions in vast cosmological terms, but in these sharp, funny novels of the sixties he was taking on a more pointedly American question: Are there reliable boundaries between vicarious and real experience?

The New Yorker

There are so many of those groups that there is just no way many of them can make it in those vast commercial terms.

The Guardian - Music

Busquets is an extremely important member of the Barcelona team, a player that probably touches the ball the most of any outfield player for Barcelona with his one-touch passes; a role that seem so simple yet its importance is vast in terms of retaining possession and beginning attacks, much in the same mold as Carrick plays for this current United side.

Huffington Post

But the genome is vast in terms of its informational content.

The New York Times

The menu is vast in terms of choice and portion size.

The Guardian - Travel

Every day, I kept the front page of the New York Times and cut out the pictures and replaced them with pictures that were vast in terms of time and space – there could be an image of the ocean, an image from 500 years ago… I was interested in contrasting what was newsworthy with these timeless images.

The Guardian - Arts

Key trait: Hollod describes his knowledge as vast in terms of subjects, but shallow on any given topic.

Los Angeles Times

This brings in vast revenues.

The Economist

In vast numbers.

The Guardian - Tech

And in vast quantities.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in vast terms", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being considered broadly. Specify the subject to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "in vast terms" without a clear reference point. Without a specific subject, the phrase can sound vague and weaken your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in vast terms" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the scope or perspective of an action or consideration. As Ludwig indicates, while grammatically acceptable, the phrase can sound awkward, suggesting a need for careful contextualization.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in vast terms" serves to indicate a broad or extensive perspective. Ludwig's analysis suggests the phrase, while grammatically acceptable, is not widely used and can be perceived as awkward. Alternatives like "in general terms" or "on a large scale" may provide clearer communication. Ensure the context clearly defines the subject under consideration. The frequency analysis showed that the expression is rare. Overall, while technically correct, careful consideration should be given to its use in writing to maintain clarity and avoid potential ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in general terms

Highlights a lack of specificity, dealing with generalities.

on a large scale

Focuses on the scope or magnitude being considered.

in expansive terms

Indicates a comprehensive and wide-ranging perspective.

in broad strokes

Emphasizes a general overview without specific details.

comprehensively

Stresses completeness and thoroughness in consideration.

extensively

Highlights the degree of thoroughness and detail.

in extensive detail

Similar to "extensively", focuses on detail and information.

on a grand scale

Highlights the ambitious size or scope of something.

in global terms

Refers to the consideration of worldwide or international effects.

in overarching terms

Implies considering from a high-level, all-encompassing perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "in vast terms" in a sentence?

Use "in vast terms" to describe considering something from a broad or extensive perspective. For example, "When discussing climate change, we must think in vast terms about its effects on future generations".

What can I say instead of "in vast terms"?

You can use alternatives like "in general terms", "on a large scale", or "in broad strokes" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "in vast terms" or "in broad terms"?

"In broad terms" is more commonly used and generally clearer. "In vast terms" can sound awkward, so consider whether it's the best choice for your context.

What's the difference between "in vast terms" and "in absolute terms"?

"In absolute terms" refers to a specific, non-relative quantity or measurement. "In vast terms" refers to a wide-ranging consideration or perspective, not a specific amount.