is too broad based

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is too broad based" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would be "is too broad-based," with a hyphen between "broad" and "based." You can use it when describing something that is overly general or lacks specificity. Example: "The definition provided in the report is too broad-based to be useful for our analysis."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is too broad-based," he said of the pay raise proposal.

The New York Times

A cowboy hat is too broad.

The New York Times

I think this distinction is too broad.

The New York Times

The search is too broad.

The New York Times - Style

That question is too broad and not helpful".

Accidental Information Discovery Cultivating Serendipity in the Digital Age

But this is too broad by far.

The Guardian

Others fretted that the ordinance is too broad.

The New York Times

"The Dream Act is too broad," he said.

The New York Times

This is too broad.

Forbes

The indictment is too broad, however.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

According to these objections, L1 is too broad.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the grammatically correct form "is too broad-based" (with a hyphen) to describe something overly general or lacking focus. Alternatively, consider using "is too general" or "is overly broad" for clarity and conciseness.

Common error

Avoid writing "is too broad based". This omits the necessary hyphen in "broad-based". Remember that in this context "broad-based" acts as a compound adjective and requires the hyphen for grammatical correctness. If you prefer, just use "is too general".

Linguistic Context

The phrase, when corrected to "is too broad-based", functions as a predicate adjective, describing a noun or concept as excessively general or lacking specific focus. Correctly used it describes something that encompasses too much or lacks necessary detail. Ludwig AI analysis shows that the hyphenated form is crucial for grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is too broad based" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "is too broad-based", with a hyphen. Even then, it's often better to opt for simpler alternatives like "is too general" or "is overly broad". These alternatives offer clarity and avoid potential grammatical errors. Ludwig AI underlines the importance of the hyphen for grammatical accuracy, a detail often overlooked.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is too general

Replaces "broad based" with a single adjective to indicate lack of specificity.

is overly broad

Uses "overly" to emphasize the excessive generality.

is too wide-ranging

Suggests that the scope is too extensive.

lacks specificity

Focuses on the absence of specific details.

is not specific enough

States directly that more specificity is needed.

is too comprehensive

Indicates that the scope includes too much detail, making it unwieldy.

is excessively inclusive

Highlights that the scope includes elements that should be excluded.

is imprecisely defined

Focuses on the lack of clear definition.

is vaguely defined

Indicates a lack of clarity in the definition.

is poorly delineated

Emphasizes that the boundaries are not well-defined.

FAQs

What does "is too broad-based" mean?

The phrase "is too broad-based" (or the simpler alternative "is too general") means that something is overly inclusive or lacks a specific focus. It suggests that the scope is too wide, making it difficult to address effectively.

How can I use "is too broad-based" in a sentence?

You can use "is too broad-based" to describe a plan, definition, or approach that covers too much ground. For example, "The project's scope is too broad-based; we need to narrow our focus". It's often better to rephrase using "is too general", especially when unsure about hyphenation rules.

What can I say instead of "is too broad-based"?

You can use alternatives like "is too general", "is overly broad", or "lacks specificity depending on the context".

Which is correct, "is too broad based" or "is too broad-based"?

"Is too broad-based" (with a hyphen) is the grammatically correct form. The hyphen connects "broad" and "based" to form a compound adjective. However, consider more common and clear alternatives such as "is too general".