lack of breadth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of breadth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deficiency in variety, scope, or range in a particular context, such as knowledge, experience, or perspective. Example: "The report was criticized for its lack of breadth, failing to consider alternative viewpoints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

It is not so much the detail of these positions that matters, but the lack of breadth, ambition or drive overall.

The Guardian - Opinion

To many visitors, the lack of breadth in Los Angeles theaters comes as a surprise, given the huge number of actors and writers, both established and fledgling.

The New York Times

It just wasn't possible in that short time, even with lots of individual encouragement (which anyway is at a premium in a university), to make up for the lack of breadth in her earlier school and home life.

The Guardian - Opinion

After the holiday season, Mr. Lynch said on Thursday, Barnes & Noble learned that "the No. 1 reason for nonbuyers in the tablet market, as it related to Nook, was the lack of breadth and apps".

The New York Times

In a letter to the school's interim chair, Barry Day, on Friday morning, the schools minister Lord Nash said he was ordering the closure of the secondary school wing of Al-Madinah because he was "particularly concerned at the poor quality of secondary teaching and the lack of breadth in the secondary curriculum".

The Guardian

"Remember, the lack of breadth was the last arrow left in the bears' quiver.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It would be hard to fault the festival for a lack of stylistic breadth.

The New York Times - Arts

Even with a slight lack of melodic breadth and the fact that the orchestra had to scamper to keep up with Fischer, in the context Beethoven comes across as a master of understatement.

The Guardian - Music

That's true of a fulminating tabloid as much as a thoughtful broadsheet, because the tabloids present a very clear view: a narrow one, in my opinion (figuratively – their lack of physical breadth is measurable rather than arguable), but coherent nonetheless.

The Guardian

This lack of mechanistic breadth limits the range of biological systems that can be pharmacologically controlled, particularly with respect to disease states caused by mutations in specific developmental pathway components.

ACS Chemical Biology

In fact it appears that the 2R hypothesis is an artifact, invoked by the lack of phylogenetic breadth in the genome sequence data in early years of genomic era.

Biology Direct

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing a plan or curriculum, use "lack of breadth" to highlight its failure to cover a wide range of topics or perspectives. This points to a need for expansion and inclusivity.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of breadth" when you actually mean a lack of thoroughness or detail. "Breadth" refers to the range of coverage, while "depth" refers to the level of detail within a specific area. If the issue is detail, use "lack of depth" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of breadth" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a deficiency or absence of range, scope, or variety. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lack of breadth" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes a deficiency in range or scope. Ludwig AI verifies this, showcasing its usage across contexts such as news, science, and education. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys a limitation in coverage or variety. To avoid confusion, ensure you differentiate "breadth" (range) from "depth" (detail). Consider using synonyms like "limited scope" or "narrow range" for varied expression. This makes it a versatile choice for expressing concerns about the comprehensiveness of a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited scope

Focuses on the restricted extent or range.

narrow range

Emphasizes the limited variation or extent.

insufficient variety

Highlights the absence of diversity.

limited diversity

Focuses on the restricted range of different things.

restricted scope

Highlights the limited extent or opportunity.

narrow perspective

Emphasizes a limited viewpoint or understanding.

shallow understanding

Suggests a superficial or incomplete grasp.

superficial knowledge

Highlights a lack of deep or thorough understanding.

inadequate coverage

Focuses on the incomplete handling or treatment of a subject.

scarcity of range

Emphasizes the rare nature of an acceptable range.

FAQs

How can I use "lack of breadth" in a sentence?

You can use "lack of breadth" to describe something that doesn't cover a wide enough range of topics or perspectives. For example: "The curriculum suffered from a "lack of breadth" and failed to prepare students for diverse career paths".

What is a synonym for "lack of breadth"?

Alternatives to "lack of breadth" include phrases like "limited scope", "narrow range", or "insufficient variety", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "lack of breadth" or "lack of depth"?

The choice between "lack of breadth" and "lack of depth" depends on whether you are referring to the range of topics covered (breadth) or the level of detail within a topic (depth). Use "lack of breadth" when discussing range, and "lack of depth" when discussing detail.

What does it mean when something is described as having a "lack of breadth"?

When something has a "lack of breadth", it means that it doesn't cover a wide range of topics, perspectives, or areas. It suggests that something is too narrow or limited in its scope.