span a broad spectrum

USAGE SUMMARY

"span a broad spectrum" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a range of things that are different or varied, for example, "This program spans a broad spectrum of topics, from basic mathematics to advanced physics."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Again, these span a broad spectrum.

Harvard University

Role-play simulations similarly span a broad spectrum.

Harvard University

The selected books span a broad spectrum of policy concerns and perspectives.

Yale University

Unless the activities span a broad spectrum of abilities, though, there seems to be no benefit to general mental fitness.

The New York Times

They also span a broad spectrum of reactivity, making them highly effective instruments for the industrial production of molecules.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

His projects span a broad spectrum of issues: Priest was about homosexuality, Hamish Macbeth about a dope-smoking copper, The Full Monty touched on the decline of the steel industry.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

In terms of their backgrounds and their politics, they spanned a broad spectrum from right to left.

The New York Times

Protein flexibility spans a broad spectrum, from highly stable folded to intrinsically disordered states.

Current Opinion in Structural Biology

Of course, the book character trend is just one inside the $74 billion licensing industry that spans a broad spectrum of businesses and pop culture.

The New York Times

This study was designed to assess the capabilities of this new method to explain differences in disease course and degree of disability in subjects spanning a broad spectrum of MS disease severity.

NeuroImage

The journal provides coverage spanning a broad spectrum of topics in all areas of experimental psychology.

Springer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "span a broad spectrum", ensure that the items being spanned are diverse and clearly defined. This provides clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "span a broad spectrum" when referring to items that are closely related or nearly identical. The phrase is most effective when describing a truly varied range of items.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "span a broad spectrum" functions as a verb phrase indicating the extent or scope of something. It describes the range or variety encompassed by a particular subject or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate this usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "span a broad spectrum" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe something that covers a wide range or variety. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for formal, scientific, and journalistic contexts. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys comprehensiveness, particularly when referring to diverse and well-defined elements. When writing, ensure that the items being "spanned" are genuinely varied to maximize the phrase's impact. Alternatives like "encompass a wide array" or "cover a diverse range" may be suitable depending on the specific context you want to create.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encompass a wide array

Replaces "spectrum" with "array", emphasizing variety rather than a continuous range.

cover a diverse range

Uses "cover" instead of "span", highlighting the act of including many different things.

extend across a wide gamut

Employs "gamut" to stress a full or complete range, offering a more vivid alternative to "spectrum".

include a comprehensive scope

Focuses on thoroughness and completeness of inclusion, differing slightly from the idea of a continuous range.

range across a broad scope

Switches from "spectrum" to "scope", emphasizing the extent or area covered.

traverse a wide scope

Employs "traverse" to describe moving across a range, adding a dynamic feel.

embrace a diverse collection

Highlights the act of accepting and including various items, shifting the focus from range to inclusion.

involve an extensive assortment

Focuses on the large variety of items involved, rather than the range itself.

exhibit a wide variety

Emphasizes the display or presence of many different types, moving away from the spanning concept.

demonstrate a full scale

Uses "scale" to represent the extent of something, highlighting magnitude rather than the specifics of the range.

FAQs

How can I use "span a broad spectrum" in a sentence?

Use "span a broad spectrum" to indicate that something covers a wide range of possibilities or elements. For example, "The course materials "span a broad spectrum" of historical periods".

What are some alternatives to "span a broad spectrum"?

You can use alternatives like "encompass a wide array", "cover a diverse range", or "extend across a wide gamut" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "spanning a broad spectrum"?

Yes, "spanning a broad spectrum" is a grammatically correct and frequently used participial phrase that can modify a noun. For instance, "Projects "spanning a broad spectrum" of issues were undertaken by the organization".

What is the difference between "span a broad spectrum" and "cover a broad spectrum"?

While both phrases are similar, ""span a broad spectrum"" implies a continuous range or connection between the elements, whereas "cover a broad spectrum" simply means to include or deal with many different things.