Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
inclusive term
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "inclusive term" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a word or phrase that encompasses a broad range of meanings or groups. For example, "The term 'parent' is an inclusive term that refers to both mothers and fathers." Alternative expressions include "broad term" and "general term."
✓ Grammatically correct
Encyclopedias
News & Media
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
41 human-written examples
Accordingly, health care ethics has come into use as a more inclusive term.
Encyclopedias
Alex Kapranos via Twitter Folk originates from the German word "volk", meaning people, and therefore a fairly inclusive term.
News & Media
Bark, on the other hand, is an inclusive term for all tissues outside of the vascular cambium.
Encyclopedias
We've had a taste of this in recent months, as various scholars (a generously inclusive term) have construed the meaning of the word "jihad" for a Western audience.
News & Media
"The 'principles' of Islamic sharia is an inclusive term that reflects the consensus of Muslim clerics," says one of the university's scholars on the constitution-drafting body.
News & Media
Many of those on the bottom rungs of the income ladder are non-Syrian Sephardic Jews, an inclusive term of art the community uses for Jews from Muslim countries.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
19 human-written examples
But the inclusive terms on which that will happen are now clear.
News & Media
Religion addresses reality in enormously large and enormously inclusive terms – and that's what we've forgotten.
News & Media
Labour, Conservative and Coalition governments have been guilty of treating BME citizens in exclusive rather than inclusive terms.
News & Media
She was then, as now, a real presence -- intellectually alive, vital, engaging, and deeply committed to the welfare of her community, which she defined in broad and inclusive terms.
News & Media
Ultimately, however, the interests of the marginalised, but also of more powerful groups, are only really protected when everyone is taken into account, and such areas of study re-imagined in these more inclusive terms.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use the term consistently throughout your writing to reinforce its meaning and avoid introducing unnecessary synonyms that might dilute its intended scope.
Common error
Avoid using an "inclusive term" when a more specific term would provide greater clarity. While inclusivity is valuable, precision is equally important for effective communication.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "inclusive term" functions as a noun phrase, where "inclusive" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "term". This phrase is used to describe a word or phrase that encompasses a broad range of meanings or groups. As shown in Ludwig, the term indicates that something is wider in scope than another term.
Frequent in
Science
33%
News & Media
25%
Encyclopedias
17%
Less common in
Wiki
4%
Formal & Business
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "inclusive term" is a noun phrase functioning as an adjective + noun combination, used to denote a word or phrase with a broad and encompassing meaning. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct, its usage spanning across academic, scientific, and news contexts. While several alternatives exist, such as "comprehensive term" or "umbrella term", it's important to use the phrase precisely, avoiding overgeneralization. Ludwig shows that authoritative sources like Encyclopedia Britannica and The New York Times commonly employ it.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
comprehensive term
Focuses on completeness and coverage of all aspects.
encompassing term
Highlights the term's ability to include or contain many different elements.
umbrella term
Emphasizes the idea of covering or protecting various related concepts under one heading.
general term
Highlights the broad and non-specific nature of the term.
broad term
Similar to "general term", but emphasizes the wide scope of the term.
overarching term
Stresses the term's role as a high-level category.
wide-ranging term
Focuses on the extensive scope or application of the term.
collective term
Indicates the term represents a group or collection of items.
catch-all term
Suggests the term is used to classify a variety of items that may not fit neatly elsewhere.
blanket term
Implies the term is applied broadly and uniformly to a diverse set of things.
FAQs
How can I use "inclusive term" in a sentence?
You can use "inclusive term" to describe a word or phrase that encompasses a broad range of meanings or groups. For example, "'Healthcare' is a more "inclusive term" when used along with the term 'integrative'."
What is an example of an "inclusive term"?
An example of an "inclusive term" is 'physical activity', which refers to any expenditure of energy brought about by bodily movement via the skeletal muscles.
What's the difference between a "general term" and an "inclusive term"?
While both terms denote broadness, an "inclusive term" specifically emphasizes the encompassing of various elements, whereas a "general term" simply indicates non-specificity.
When should I use an "inclusive term" over a more specific one?
Use an "inclusive term" when you want to refer to a wide variety of related concepts or items under a single, broader category, rather than focusing on specific distinctions. But ensure that using a too "specific one" does not create bias.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested