overarching plan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overarching plan" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a comprehensive or all-encompassing strategy that guides various actions or decisions. Example: "The overarching plan for the project includes several key phases that will ensure its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

But there is no overarching plan.

The Guardian - Sport

"But they're not all connected in the same way there's no overarching plan," Hoffman points out.

MIT Technology Review

He said the attacks had been part of an "overarching" plan to rid parts of Bosnia of non-Serbs.

The Guardian

Mr Groome said all the attacks were part of an "overarching" plan hatched by Karadzic and former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic to ethnically cleanse large parts of Bosnia of non-Serbs and carve out a "Greater Serbia" from the ruins of the former Yugoslavia.

Independent

Groome said the documentary evidence pointed to an "overarching" plan, set out in a list of six war aims drawn up by Mladic, aimed at ethnic cleansing hundreds of thousands of Muslims and Croats and carving out an ethnically pure Serb homeland in western and eastern Bosnia.

The Guardian

It is the prosecution's contention that all the killing was part of an "overarching" plan, in the form of six war aims drawn up by Mladic, a former Yugoslav army officer who was recruited by the Bosnian Serb nationalists at the start of the war.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

For example, Joseph Miller, director of the University of California Observatories/Lick Observatory in Santa Cruz, worries about an overarching planning board.

Science Magazine

Assortment planning is usually executed in an overarching planning step by the marketing department, whereas shelf planning is a subordinate planning problem and generally owned by the sales department.

Business Research

Three months since the United States approved a huge aid package for Colombia, the overarching $7.5 billion plan to stabilize that nation and thwart its guerrilla movements and drug traffickers is already showing signs of disarray, officials and experts say.

The New York Times

[a] There's no overarching comprehensive plan or vision for Jackson Park (not to mention the South Park System as a whole); and [b], the public review processes involved are complicated, which gives cover to the City of Chicago, OPC proponents, golf course consolidation proponents, and others.

HuffPost

Based on the constructive feedback forthcoming from these processes there is likely to be a lesser need for an emphasis to be placed on some of the recommendations for supervisors identified under the overarching themes Planning the research for the student and Preparing the student for the research.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "overarching plan", ensure that the plan's components and their relationships are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Always make it clear what falls under the umbrella of the overarching plan.

Common error

Avoid using "overarching plan" when referring to simple or localized strategies. This phrase implies a broad scope and significant impact, so reserve it for plans that genuinely encompass multiple elements or areas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overarching plan" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a comprehensive strategy designed to encompass multiple aspects of an activity or project. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overarching plan" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term to describe a comprehensive strategy that guides multiple actions or decisions. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its use across various domains. As shown in the usage patterns, this term is most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. Alternative phrases like "comprehensive strategy" or "overall strategy" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When employing the phrase, ensure that the plan's components and their relationships are clearly defined to enhance clarity and avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comprehensive strategy

Focuses on the breadth and completeness of the strategy rather than its dominance.

overall strategy

Emphasizes the general and inclusive nature of the strategy.

master plan

Implies a detailed and controlling plan, often used in urban development or complex projects.

grand design

Suggests a large-scale and ambitious plan, often with a hint of idealism.

global strategy

Highlights the worldwide scope and application of the strategy.

strategic framework

Emphasizes the structure and guidelines provided by the strategy.

umbrella plan

Conveys that the plan covers or protects many smaller, related activities.

key strategy

Emphasizes the importance of the plan.

integrated approach

Highlights that the plan combines elements into a unified whole.

centralized planning

Highlights the single source of the planning efforts.

FAQs

How can I use "overarching plan" in a sentence?

You can use "overarching plan" to describe a comprehensive strategy that guides various actions. For instance: "The project's overarching plan includes several key phases."

What are some alternatives to saying "overarching plan"?

Consider using "comprehensive strategy", "overall strategy", or "master plan" as alternatives, depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "overarching plan" or "overall plan"?

Both "overarching plan" and "overall plan" are acceptable, but "overarching plan" suggests a more dominant or encompassing nature. Choose the one that best fits the scale and scope of the strategy you're describing.

What does it mean for a strategy to be "overarching"?

When a strategy is described as "overarching", it means it's comprehensive and affects many different areas. It provides a framework or structure that other, smaller plans and actions fall under.