is fairly broad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is fairly broad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a wide range or scope, often in discussions about topics, definitions, or categories. Example: "The definition of art is fairly broad, encompassing various forms and styles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

My reading is fairly broad: I read history; lots of novels; occasionally science, but not very often.

Independent

That means the margin of error (or 95 percent confidence interval) is fairly broad — roughly plus or minus 10 points.

The New York Times

He has recently been anointed one of Sweden's "top environmentalists" – which, although the title is fairly broad, has got to be good.

The Guardian - Film

If his support is fairly broad, it is hardly deep; even his advisers acknowledge that much of it is the pragmatic response of Democrats drawn more to the résumé than to the man.

The New York Times

(My idea of what constitutes "theatre" is fairly broad, and includes dance, rock concerts, art shows, television, films: any place where spectacle makes us feel more alive as thinkers).

The New Yorker

The American definition of rum is fairly broad, but — unlike spirits such as bourbon or tequila, which can be made in only one country — rum is made and has roots in multiple nations.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

And among House Republicans, this opposition is fairly broad-based; as we saw with the fights over the debt ceiling, the fiscal cliff, and the sequester, Tea Party Republicans have a tight grip on the direction of the chamber.

The Washington Post

So it's fairly broad.

The New York Times

The decline was fairly broad, including toys, clothing and electronics.

The New York Times

The souring sentiment around corporate profits has been fairly broad.

The New York Times

The tempos in this performance are fairly broad.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is fairly broad", ensure the context clarifies what aspect is being described as broad, such as a definition, scope, or range. This helps avoid ambiguity and provides a clearer understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "is fairly broad" without specifying what is broad. For example, instead of saying "the topic is fairly broad", specify "the topic's scope is fairly broad, covering several areas."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is fairly broad" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or subject by indicating that its scope, range, or definition is extensive. This serves to qualify or characterize the subject, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is fairly broad" is a descriptive phrase that indicates a wide scope or range. Ludwig confirms it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and formal writing. While versatile, it's essential to provide context to specify what aspect is broad. Alternatives like "is quite extensive" or "is rather inclusive" can offer similar meanings with slight differences in nuance. Remember to avoid overgeneralization by clarifying what is being described as broad to ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is reasonably wide

Replaces "fairly" with "reasonably", suggesting a moderate degree of breadth.

is quite extensive

Uses "quite extensive" to convey a significant scope.

is rather inclusive

Focuses on the inclusive nature of the subject, implying a broad scope.

is somewhat comprehensive

Highlights the thoroughness of the subject, suggesting it covers a wide range.

is largely expansive

Emphasizes the expansive nature, indicating significant breadth.

is fairly all-encompassing

Stresses the comprehensive nature, implying a broad and inclusive scope.

is substantially wide-ranging

Indicates a wide range of topics or areas covered.

is moderately sweeping

Implies a wide and general scope, covering many aspects.

is broadly encompassing

Highlights the act of including many things within a scope.

is acceptably generalized

Suggests a wide application due to its general nature.

FAQs

What does "is fairly broad" mean?

The phrase "is fairly broad" means that something has a wide scope, range, or definition. It indicates that the subject in question covers a significant area or includes many different elements.

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

You can use "is fairly broad" to describe various aspects. For example: "The definition of art "is fairly broad", encompassing various forms and styles", or "The scope of the project "is fairly broad", including multiple departments".

Which phrases are similar to "is fairly broad"?

Similar phrases include "is quite extensive", "is rather inclusive", or "is reasonably wide". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "is fairly broad" formal or informal?

The phrase "is fairly broad" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news articles, academic papers, and casual conversations. The register depends more on the surrounding language than the phrase itself.