pretty broad

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty broad" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is wide-ranging or not specific, often in discussions about topics, categories, or concepts. Example: "The definition of art is pretty broad, encompassing everything from traditional paintings to modern installations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a pretty broad claim.

MIT Technology Review

"Look, I have pretty broad shoulders.

Independent

"My own taste is pretty broad.

The New York Times - Arts

Still, his was a pretty broad statement.

The Washington Post

But the denial is pretty broad.

The Washington Post

"And Jeopardy is a pretty broad task.

The Guardian - Tech

It was a pretty broad line".

The New York Times - Magazine

"This was a pretty broad search," Mr. Griswold said.

The New York Times - Arts

"That's a pretty broad subject," Mr. Perry said, to chuckles.

The New York Times

Breakfast had a pretty broad definition at the Olympics.

The Washington Post

A pretty broad definition, and this display bears it out.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pretty broad", ensure the context clearly defines what is being described as broad. For example, specify "a pretty broad range of topics" or "a pretty broad definition" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "pretty broad" without providing specific examples or limitations. Saying "the project is pretty broad" without further explanation leaves the audience unclear about the scope and can lead to misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pretty broad" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a noun by indicating its extent or scope. As confirmed by Ludwig, it suggests that something is wide-ranging, general, or not particularly specific. Examples show it used to describe tasks, definitions, coalitions and other abstract or concrete nouns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pretty broad" is a commonly used adjectival modifier that describes something as wide-ranging or general. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, especially in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to provide context to avoid overgeneralization. If a more formal tone is needed, consider using alternatives like "quite extensive" or "somewhat comprehensive". Examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrate its versatile application in describing definitions, scopes, and categories.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly wide

Replaces "broad" with "wide", maintaining the sense of extent, and "pretty" with "fairly".

quite extensive

Substitutes both words with synonyms that express a similar idea of scope, but with a more formal tone.

rather encompassing

Replaces "broad" with "encompassing", suggesting inclusion, and "pretty" with "rather".

somewhat comprehensive

Uses "comprehensive" to convey completeness and "somewhat" in place of "pretty" to soften the intensity.

moderately inclusive

Emphasizes inclusion rather than scope, and uses "moderately" as a substitute for "pretty".

reasonably wide-ranging

Combines "wide" and "ranging" to stress variety, and "reasonably" for a moderate degree.

largely all-encompassing

Stresses the idea of including everything, using "largely" to temper the statement.

generally expansive

Focuses on expansion or growth, using "generally" to indicate it's not absolute.

considerably sweeping

Suggests a wide scope that covers a lot of ground, with "considerably" intensifying the effect.

relatively global

Indicates a worldwide or universal scope, using "relatively" to limit the claim.

FAQs

How can I use "pretty broad" in a sentence?

You can use "pretty broad" to describe something that covers a wide range or is not very specific. For example, "The term 'art' has a "pretty broad" meaning".

What does "pretty broad" mean?

"Pretty broad" means something is wide-ranging or general, not limited to specifics. It implies a lack of precision or a large scope.

What can I say instead of "pretty broad"?

You can use alternatives like "fairly wide", "quite extensive", or "rather encompassing" depending on the context.

Is "pretty broad" too informal for professional writing?

While "pretty broad" is generally acceptable, in more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "quite extensive" or "somewhat comprehensive" for a more professional tone.