sheer breadth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sheer breadth" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe the vastness or scope of something, often in a figurative sense. Examples: - The sheer breadth of her knowledge on the subject impressed the entire audience. - The sheer breadth of the desert landscape was both awe-inspiring and intimidating. - The sheer breadth of the organization's reach was evident in their global impact. - The sheer breadth of options at the buffet left us feeling overwhelmed. - The sheer breadth of talent in the room was a testament to the university's prestigious program.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The sheer breadth of MacCulloch's chronicle is almost subversive.

The Guardian - Books

I've spent two hours watching the rehearsal and the sheer breadth of the sound is astonishing.

Independent

What is startling about Bergman's collection is the sheer breadth and populism of his tastes.

Independent

The sheer breadth of Pisa has also raised questions about the comparability of results within it.

The Guardian

Part of my resistance is the sheer breadth of some manga series.

The New York Times

But the sheer breadth and depth of this particular disco-ball gives it lasting clout.

The Guardian - Books

"The sheer breadth of material was unusual and it made us hard to pin down.

The Guardian - Music

The sheer breadth of boats scheduled for display in Mystic will attest to that.

The New York Times - Sports

"It reflects the sheer breadth of the way people might engage with the work we're making".

The Guardian

Mr. Yvon's devotion shows in the sheer breadth of his offerings.

The New York Times

But the sheer breadth of her holdings gives Ms. Fanton peace of mind, she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer breadth" to emphasize not just the size but also the comprehensiveness or wide-ranging nature of something. For example, use it to describe the scope of a project or the range of expertise within a team.

Common error

Avoid using "sheer breadth" when a simpler term like "size" or "scope" would suffice. The phrase carries an implication of impressiveness or unexpected magnitude, so reserve it for situations where this nuance is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer breadth" functions as a descriptive term, typically modifying a noun to emphasize its extensive scope or scale. It highlights not just the size but the overall comprehensiveness of the concept being described. Ludwig confirms the appropriateness and frequent usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer breadth" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys the extensive scope or comprehensiveness of a subject. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, serving to emphasize magnitude and complexity. When writing, reserve this phrase for situations where emphasizing the impressive scale is truly relevant, and avoid overuse. Alternatives like "sheer magnitude" or "sheer scope" can offer slightly different nuances depending on the specific aspect you wish to emphasize. This phrase is useful in writing to indicate a large, comprehensive, and often impressive scale.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sheer magnitude

Focuses on the scale or importance, rather than the comprehensive nature.

sheer scope

Emphasizes the range or extent of coverage.

sheer vastness

Highlights the immensity or enormous size.

sheer extent

Stresses the reach or range that something covers.

considerable breadth

Emphasizes that the extent is worthy of attention, a synonym but a different wording.

enormous breadth

Stresses the large extent in question.

sheer comprehensiveness

Highlights how complete and inclusive something is.

sheer diversity

Focuses on variety rather than overall scale.

wide scope

Omits "sheer" making it less intense and less precise.

broad extent

Similar to "sheer extent" but less emphatic.

FAQs

How can I use "sheer breadth" in a sentence?

Use "sheer breadth" to describe the extensive scope or range of something. For example: "The "sheer breadth" of the data set was overwhelming."

What phrases are similar to "sheer breadth"?

Similar phrases include "sheer scope", "sheer magnitude", and "enormous breadth". These all emphasize the large extent or scale of something.

Is it better to use "sheer breadth" or "wide range"?

"Sheer breadth" implies a particularly impressive or comprehensive scale, while "wide range" simply indicates variety. Choose "sheer breadth" when you want to emphasize the magnitude or comprehensiveness. For example, The "sheer breadth" of the collection was impressive, compared to a wide range of options was available.

What does "sheer breadth" emphasize?

"Sheer breadth" emphasizes the vastness, comprehensiveness, and often the surprising or overwhelming nature of something. It is used to convey that something is notably extensive in its scope or scale.