is excessively broad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is excessively broad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is too general or vague, lacking specificity or clarity. Example: "The definition provided in the document is excessively broad, making it difficult to understand the intended scope."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Even when clinically indicated, the antibiotic prescribed very often is excessively broad spectrum or is continued for a duration well beyond what is required to eradicate the infection.

Drugs and Aging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A Federal District Court ruled the search violated the Fourth Amendment because the warrant was excessively broad.

The New York Times

In a report published on Friday, the 18-strong United Nations committee for human rights warned that the surveillance powers granted to French intelligence agencies were "excessively broad".

The Guardian

Our results indicate that the models generated by Rodda et al. [2] are excessively broad and do not represent an accurate picture of the potential current or future extent of the Burmese python in the United States.

Plosone

Our definition of clinical URTI may have been excessively broad and insufficiently specific which may have led to incorrectly classified events.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Third, as indicated by Friedman et al., the definition of HCA infection which we used in this study may have been excessively broad since the definition was based on the U.S. medical system [ 1].

BMC Infectious Diseases

Critics say it is overly broad and excessively punitive, meting out stiff prison terms for some computer-related crimes they deem relatively innocuous.

Huffington Post

Lovett is excessively self-effacing.

The New Yorker

Environmentalists say that prospect is excessively rosy.

The New York Times - Science

Pierre Audi's production is excessively gloomy.

The New York Times - Arts

That's not to say Sant'Angelo is excessively traditionalist.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is excessively broad", ensure you provide specific examples of what aspects are too general to support your claim effectively.

Common error

Avoid simply stating something "is excessively broad" without providing concrete examples or evidence. Always specify why it's too broad and what the consequences of that breadth are.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is excessively broad" functions primarily as a predicate adjective. It describes a noun, indicating that the noun's scope or definition is too general or wide-ranging, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

59%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is excessively broad" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that serves to criticize something for being too general or lacking specific focus. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in various contexts. While not exceptionally frequent, it appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and scientific journals. Using this phrase effectively requires providing concrete examples to support your claim and specify why the subject's breadth is problematic. Alternatives like "is overly general" or "lacks specificity" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember to provide evidence when claiming something is too broad to give weight to your argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is overly general

Replaces "excessively broad" with "overly general", focusing on the lack of specificity.

is too wide-ranging

Indicates the subject covers too many areas without sufficient focus.

is excessively encompassing

Highlights the all-inclusive nature of the subject, implying a lack of necessary limitations.

is excessively inclusive

Similar to 'encompassing', but focuses on inclusion rather than scope.

is unduly expansive

Emphasizes that the subject's scope extends further than what is appropriate or necessary.

is excessively vague

Focuses on the lack of clarity and precision in the subject.

is imprecisely defined

Highlights the lack of accurate definition, leading to broad interpretation.

is excessively undefined

Similar to 'imprecisely defined', but more direct in stating the lack of definition.

lacks specificity

Indicates that the subject does not have enough detail or focus.

is not specific enough

Similar to 'lacks specificity', emphasizing the need for more detail.

FAQs

How can I use "is excessively broad" in a sentence?

You can use "is excessively broad" to criticize a definition, policy, or concept that lacks sufficient specificity. For example: "The warrant /s/was+excessively+broad and violated the Fourth Amendment".

What are some alternatives to saying "is excessively broad"?

Alternatives include "is overly general", "is too wide-ranging", or "lacks specificity". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "is excessively broad"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that something covers too much ground, lacks focus, or is defined in a way that is too general to be useful or accurate.

What does it mean when something "is excessively broad"?

It means that its scope is too wide, lacking the necessary limitations or specific details. This can lead to confusion, misinterpretation, or ineffectiveness.