span the spectrum of

USAGE SUMMARY

"span the spectrum of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used when referring to a broad range of topics, ideas, items, etc. For example, "This course spans the spectrum of design principles, from basic design concepts up to more advanced techniques."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The receptions here span the spectrum of corporate interests.

The New York Times

The questions span the spectrum of adolescence itself, from the goofy to the ghastly.

The New York Times

"The jobs involved do tend to span the spectrum of skills and income levels.

The New York Times - Tech

But the rising complexity of computing, and of security threats, is prompting a consolidation — and a need for products and services that span the spectrum of security threats companies face.

The New York Times

One of the greatest remaining challenges facing nephrology research is obtaining data with detail and precision for the three large, yet "forgotten," populations that span the spectrum of kidney disease: patients with chronic renal insufficiency (CRI), peritoneal dialysis patients, and kidney transplant patients.

American Journal of Kidney Diseases

Current input reconstruction methods span the spectrum of analysis and computation, and we have grouped them into three categories: Direct, Regularization, and Probabilistic/Statistical. Each of these groups is divided into several subsets that offer different perspectives in which to view the reconstruction problem.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Erin was bi-racial, and stood tall among a group of family and friends who spanned the spectrum of race in this nation.

The Guardian - Opinion

There were certainly Jewish merchants engaged in the business, but the owners and creditors spanned the spectrum of religious and cultural affiliation.

The Guardian

But that unanimity masks a broad divergence in their approaches to the issue while in office, spanning the spectrum of Republican positioning.

The New York Times

His oeuvre spanned the spectrum of film: serious drama (Dead Poets Society, Awakenings, Good Will Hunting, The Fisher King), children's films (Mrs Doubtfire, Hook, Aladdin, Jumanji, Flubber, Patch Adams) and comedies (Good Morning Vietnam, Death to Smoochy).

The Guardian - Film

On Wednesday, the president's drug czar released the 2014 edition of US national drug control strategy, a 102-page document that leads off with a paean from the Man himself touting an "evidence-based plan for real drug policy reform, spanning the spectrum of effective prevention, early intervention, treatment, recovery support, criminal justice, law enforcement, and international cooperation".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "span the spectrum of", ensure that the subject clearly identifies what range or variety is being covered. For example: "The conference sessions "span the spectrum of" marketing strategies."

Common error

Avoid using "span the spectrum of" without a clear subject defining the range or items being covered. Saying "The project spans the spectrum" is too vague; specify what spectrum is being referred to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "span the spectrum of" functions as a modifier, indicating the extent or range of something. As noted by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase that suggests a comprehensive scope. The examples show it describing the breadth of skills, interests, or possibilities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "span the spectrum of" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies a wide-ranging coverage or comprehensive scope. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used across diverse fields. Its usage is fairly consistent across news, scientific and formal business contexts, showing a neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what range or variety is being covered. For alternative expressions, consider options like "cover the breadth of" or "encompass the scope of" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cover the breadth of

Focuses on the range of coverage rather than the distribution across it.

encompass the scope of

Implies a complete inclusion within defined limits.

extend across the range of

Highlights the spatial or temporal extent of something.

run the gamut of

More informal and emphasizes the variety and extremes within a range.

traverse the extent of

Emphasizes the act of moving or passing through the entire range.

include the diversity of

Highlights the variety within a set, rather than the extent of coverage.

embrace the totality of

Suggests a welcoming or acceptance of everything within the spectrum.

reach the full extent of

Focuses on the limit or boundary of the range.

run through the whole range of

More descriptive and less concise.

cover all bases of

Idiomatic and focuses on completeness in preparation or planning.

FAQs

How can I use "span the spectrum of" in a sentence?

Use "span the spectrum of" to indicate that something covers a wide range or variety. For instance, "The training program "spans the spectrum of" skills required for the job."

What does "span the spectrum of" mean?

It means to include or cover a wide range of possibilities, ideas, or items. It suggests a comprehensive scope.

Which is correct, "span the spectrum of" or "spans the spectrum of"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "span" for plural subjects and "spans" for singular subjects. For example, "These courses "span the spectrum of" design principles" (plural), vs. "This course "spans the spectrum of" design principles" (singular).

What can I say instead of "span the spectrum of"?

You can use alternatives like "cover the breadth of", "encompass the scope of", or "run the gamut of" depending on the context.