not too broad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not too broad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that should have a limited or specific scope, rather than being overly general or vague. Example: "The topic of the essay should be not too broad, focusing on a specific aspect of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The satire is unrelenting but not too broad; it stays close to common observation.

The New Yorker

Make your request clear, reasonable, and concise, but not too broad.

The New Yorker

There is an art in picking a topic that is not too narrow, and not too broad.

University of California, Berkeley

Say something like "#ACA," or "#AbortionRights," or "#YourBoss'sPalpableLackofMoralCertitude, Steven". Make your request clear, reasonable, and concise, but not too broad.

The New Yorker

"It's about finding medium-sized chunks people can coalesce around – not too broad, not too specific – such as renewables targets".

The Guardian

All those stopovers enabled the playwright to "deepen the characters, punch up the jokes, though not too broad and not too shticky," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

And for Stadler's generation as a whole, the generalisation isn't too broad.

The Guardian - Books

Asked whether the little stories weren't too broad — the commercials and tag line could almost as easily be selling cameras or light bulbs as processed meats — Mr. Marks said they were connected directly to his products.

The New York Times

On just about every pie the toppings stopped the right distance shy of the edge, leaving a rim of crust that wasn't too broad or puffy, like some crusts I've encountered.

The New York Times - Food

To the extent that judges would seek to faithfully adhere to its ambiguous formula--not too broad, not too deep--they are left with little guidance about how or even when to do so.

Huffington Post

The agreement should be specific about what type of job the employee may not engage in and must not be too broad.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When defining a research topic, ensure it's "not too broad" to allow for in-depth analysis within the given timeframe.

Common error

Avoid selecting a topic that is "too broad", as it can lead to superficial coverage and difficulty in providing meaningful insights. Start with a specific question or focus area.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not too broad" functions primarily as an adjective modifier, specifying that something should possess a limited or specific scope rather than being overly general. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is grammatically correct and suitable for use in writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not too broad" serves as an adjective modifier, emphasizing the importance of a limited and specific scope. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for diverse writing scenarios. Predominantly featured in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register. Common errors include overly ambitious scopes, which can be mitigated by focusing on a specific question. Alternatives include "sufficiently specific", "adequately focused", and "appropriately narrow". In summary, "not too broad" is a versatile phrase with common usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appropriately narrow

Highlights the need for a restricted scope, directly contrasting with broadness.

reasonably specific

Stresses the importance of a degree of specificity, but allows for some flexibility.

adequately focused

Emphasizes the importance of focus, shifting from breadth to concentration.

sufficiently specific

Focuses on the need for specificity rather than the avoidance of broadness.

well-defined

Focuses on clarity and precision, indicating a lack of ambiguity or excessive scope.

suitably defined

Indicates that the boundaries are well-established, implying a lack of excessive scope.

contained scope

Focuses on the size of scope.

finely tuned

Implies careful adjustment to achieve the right focus, avoiding over generalization.

within reasonable bounds

Highlights the importance of limitations.

targeted precisely

Emphasizes the accuracy and focus.

FAQs

How can I ensure my essay topic is "not too broad"?

Focus on a specific aspect of the larger topic. For example, instead of "climate change", consider "the impact of melting glaciers on coastal communities".

What's the difference between "not too broad" and "too narrow"?

"Not too broad" means the topic is manageable within the given scope or time. "Too narrow" means the topic is so specific that there isn't enough information or scope for meaningful discussion.

What are some alternatives to saying "not too broad"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "sufficiently specific", "adequately focused", or "appropriately narrow".

In what contexts is it important for a topic to be "not too broad"?

It's crucial in academic research, project management, and legal agreements, where specificity ensures effective execution and avoids ambiguity.