more broadly than

USAGE SUMMARY

'more broadly than' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when referring to an idea, concept, or subject that is broader than something previously mentioned. For example, "His focus has now shifted more broadly than just the economy to include social policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even Time Warner Cable carries CNBC more broadly than CNNfn.

The New York Times

"I was thinking more broadly than some people heard it".

The New York Times

Yéle chose to work more broadly than deeply.

The New York Times

It also applies more broadly than many people think.

The New York Times

We will certainly look more broadly than one organization.

MIT Technology Review

The conversations range more broadly than health and gender violence.

The New York Times

We conceptualize and analyze PMOs more broadly than just as a specialized project-focused organizational unit.

International Journal of Project Management

It bears repeating that you need to think more broadly than traditional defensive cyber objectives.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Benefit can and should be defined more broadly than merely financial advantage.

The Guardian

But psychiatry defines insanity more broadly than the legal system does.

The New York Times

At the same time you get your work exposed more broadly than in a journal alone".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more broadly than" when you want to emphasize that you are considering a wider range of factors, aspects, or perspectives compared to a narrower or more specific focus. It's particularly useful when comparing approaches, definitions, or analyses.

Common error

Avoid using "more broadly than" when a simpler comparative adjective would suffice. For instance, instead of saying "This affects society more broadly than just the economy", consider "This affects society beyond just the economy" for a more concise expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more broadly than" functions as a comparative adverbial phrase. It's used to modify verbs or adjectives, indicating a wider scope or range of consideration. Ludwig AI confirms this, as seen in numerous examples where it compares different perspectives or approaches.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more broadly than" is a versatile comparative phrase used to indicate a wider scope or range of consideration. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, its grammatical function is that of a comparative adverbial phrase, serving to modify verbs or adjectives by contrasting different levels of scope. It is most frequently employed in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While generally neutral in tone, leaning towards formal, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider simpler alternatives when appropriate. Examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and Forbes, along with insights on common errors, provide a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively integrate "more broadly than" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more widely than

Focuses on extent of reach or acceptance, whereas "more broadly than" emphasizes scope of consideration.

in a more general sense than

Focuses on generality versus specificity, while "more broadly than" highlights the range of coverage.

across a wider range than

Highlights the diversity of elements covered, differing slightly from the overall scope of "more broadly than".

more extensively than

Emphasizes the degree to which something is covered or detailed, unlike the broader scope of "more broadly than".

in a more inclusive manner than

Indicates greater inclusion, contrasting with the wider scope implied by "more broadly than".

more comprehensively than

Implies a thorough or complete approach, differing from the wider perspective of "more broadly than".

on a wider scale than

Highlights the scale or magnitude, whereas "more broadly than" considers the range of aspects.

on a larger scale than

Highlights the size or extent rather than the conceptual scope of "more broadly than".

to a greater extent than

Emphasizes the degree or measure of something, contrasting with the expansive nature of "more broadly than".

beyond the scope of

Suggests a limit or boundary is being surpassed, while "more broadly than" implies a wider perspective is taken.

FAQs

How do you use "more broadly than" in a sentence?

Use "more broadly than" to indicate that a concept or idea encompasses a larger scope or range compared to something else. For example, "The term 'sustainability' is now understood "more broadly than" just environmental protection".

What's the difference between "more broadly than" and "more widely than"?

"More broadly than" refers to the scope or range of something, while "more widely than" indicates the extent of reach or acceptance. Use "more broadly than" when discussing concepts or ideas, and "more widely than" when discussing distribution or popularity.

What are some alternatives to "more broadly than"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "more extensively than", "more comprehensively than", or "in a more general sense than". Choose the alternative that best reflects the intended meaning of wider scope or perspective.

Is it always necessary to use "than" after "more broadly"?

Yes, the phrase "more broadly" typically requires "than" to complete the comparison. Without "than", the phrase is incomplete and lacks context. For example, you need to say "more broadly than X" rather than just "more broadly".