scale and breadth

USAGE SUMMARY

"scale and breadth" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to emphasise the large size of something, or to emphasise the wide scope of something. For example: "The scale and breadth of his knowledge amazed us all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Still, the scale and breadth of his success was pretty impressive.

The New Yorker

But the scale and breadth of the operation was enough to leave anyone slack-jawed.

The New York Times

What took me aback was the sheer scale and breadth of the negativity.

Independent

The scale and breadth of Lenfest's generosity to Columbia was remarkable.

Columbia University

"Yet the scale and breadth of the hacks we've seen in 2016 show that governments and companies must do more to safeguard these essential digital rights.

The Guardian - Tech

According to Van der Kleij, WeChat is looking at utilising the scale and breadth of its social media capabilities as operating systems for new models of finance.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Deloitte UK, for example, entered into an "alliance" with Berry Appleman & Leiden (BAL) LLP, one of the world's largest immigration law firms, to leverage its scale, expertise and breadth outside of the US with BAL's legal immigration expertise in the US.

Forbes

In a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission SECC) last year it said: "We believe our scale and product breadth are unmatched within the industry".

The Guardian - Business

"We believe our scale and product breadth are unmatched within the industry," the Freedom Group said in a filing last year with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The New York Times

Given The Quest's scale and the breadth of its ambition, Schmidt has also established a robust leadership team to work with Torralba in furthering the initiative's goals.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The deal is aimed at gaining scale and geographical breadth, Avast said today.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scale and breadth" when you want to emphasize both the size and the scope of something, suggesting a comprehensive impact or reach. For example, you might describe a project's "scale and breadth" to highlight its ambition and far-reaching consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "scale and breadth" repetitively in close proximity. While the phrase is valid, overuse can make your writing sound monotonous. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "scope and magnitude" or by rephrasing the sentence to describe specific aspects of size and scope separately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scale and breadth" functions as a compound noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. It serves to describe the comprehensive nature of something, combining its size (scale) with its scope or range (breadth). According to Ludwig, it's correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "scale and breadth" is a valid and commonly used expression to emphasize both the size and scope of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It frequently appears in news, academic, and business contexts. While effective, it should be used judiciously to avoid redundancy. Alternatives such as "scope and magnitude" can provide variety while maintaining a similar meaning. Understanding the subtle differences in these alternatives can enhance the precision and impact of your writing. The phrase serves to highlight the comprehensive nature of a subject, underlining its extensive and far-reaching impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

size and scope

Directly mirrors the original phrase by swapping the order. Close meaning to "scale and breadth".

size and extent

Focuses on the physical dimensions and the overall reach. Close meaning to "scale and breadth".

dimensions and scope

Emphasizes the physical size and range of something. Close meaning to "scale and breadth".

scope and magnitude

Emphasizes both the range and the size or importance of something. Highlights impact, diverging slightly from "scale and breadth".

magnitude and scope

Highlights the importance and range of something. Changes nuance, diverging slightly from "scale and breadth".

extent and reach

Focuses on how far something extends and the range it covers. Centers on influence, slightly transforming the meaning of "scale and breadth".

size and comprehensiveness

Highlights physical dimensions and overall inclusion. Changes nuance, diverging slightly from "scale and breadth".

scope and depth

Emphasizes the range and thoroughness of something. Centers on thoroughness, changing the meaning of "scale and breadth".

range and magnitude

Focuses on the variety and importance of something. Transforms the meaning of "scale and breadth".

degree and extent

Highlights the level and reach of something. Changes nuance, diverging slightly from "scale and breadth".

FAQs

How can I effectively use "scale and breadth" in a sentence?

Use "scale and breadth" when you need to convey both the size and the comprehensive nature of something. For instance, you could say "The project's success was due to the "scale and breadth" of its impact" to emphasize how large and far-reaching the project was.

What are some alternatives to "scale and breadth" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "scope and magnitude", "extent and reach", or "size and scope". Each of these emphasizes a slightly different aspect of comprehensiveness or extent.

Is it redundant to use both "scale" and "breadth" together?

While "scale" and "breadth" can sometimes overlap, they emphasize different qualities. "Scale" refers more to size or magnitude, whereas "breadth" refers to scope or range. Using them together can provide a more complete picture, but ensure it fits the context and isn't unnecessarily repetitive.

In what contexts is "scale and breadth" most appropriately used?

The phrase "scale and breadth" is suitable in contexts where you want to highlight the comprehensive nature of something, such as projects, impacts, or operations. It's often used in formal or professional settings to convey thoroughness and magnitude simultaneously.