spanning the breadth of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spanning the breadth of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that covers a wide range or extent, often in terms of topics, areas, or dimensions. Example: "The conference will feature speakers spanning the breadth of the technology industry, from startups to established corporations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

A floor-to-ceiling bookcase offers every Graham Greene book you can think off, plus a selection of boardgames and DVDs spanning the breadth of tastes from The Princess Diaries to The Last King of Scotland.

The Guardian - Travel

Guantánamo Diary is a "brutally original" memoir, said the prize jury on Monday, as they revealed a longlist described as spanning "the breadth of non-fiction writing, from literary biography and history to journalism and travel writing".

The Guardian - Books

Here, amid rows of burial mounds spanning the breadth of some 15 football fields, he watched two goose-stepping soldiers lay a wreath to the 490,000 people interred here who perished during the Nazis' 900-day siege of Leningrad, as the city was called, from 1941 to 1944.

The New York Times

True, you age and die, but there are always bubbles (universes) spanning the breadth of eternity.

Huffington Post

The data provide DNA content values for 12 of the 19 recognized orders of brown algae spanning the breadth of the class.

AoB PLANTS

These data provide DNA content values for 12 of the 19 recognized orders of brown algae spanning the breadth of the class.

AoB PLANTS

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The success of Ukip may be a British story, but it reflects a trend that spans the breadth of Europe.

Independent

Through the story of her itch, he spans the breadth of medical science from neurology to obsessive-compulsive disorder, trying to find out what might be to blame.

The Guardian

The schools span the breadth of France, from Amiens in Normandy to Brest on the western tip of Brittany to Pau near the Spanish border, and would merge under the name of France Business School under the proposal.

The New York Times

"Savage Beauty" spans the breadth of his career, from his 1992 graduate collection to his last, unfinished ­Autumn/Winter 2010 collection, and has been described as something of a homecoming.

The Economist

Nevertheless, it raises more questions about how the world's most wanted man managed to shunt his family between cities that span the breadth of Pakistan, apparently undetected and unmolested by the otherwise formidable security services.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spanning the breadth of", ensure that the subject you are describing genuinely covers a comprehensive range or scope to avoid exaggeration or misrepresentation.

Common error

Avoid using "spanning the breadth of" when the subject only covers a small or specific area. This can create a false impression of comprehensiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spanning the breadth of" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used adjectivally to modify a noun. It indicates the extent or scope that something covers. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a valid and usable English expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spanning the breadth of" is a prepositional phrase used to emphasize the comprehensive scope or range of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its usage is most common in science and news contexts. While grammatically correct and widely understood, it should be used judiciously to accurately reflect the scope of the subject being described. Alternative phrases such as "covering the range of" or "encompassing the scope of" can offer variety in writing. Ensure the context warrants the implication of broad coverage when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

covering the extent of

Replaces "spanning" with "covering" and "breadth" with "extent", slightly altering the image.

encompassing the scope of

Substitutes "spanning" with "encompassing" and "breadth" with "scope", emphasizing inclusion.

covering the range of

Uses "covering" instead of "spanning" and "range" instead of "breadth", suggesting a specific set of values or items.

extending across the spectrum of

Emphasizes the idea of something reaching from one end of a spectrum to another, altering the core metaphor.

traversing the entirety of

Changes to "traversing", giving a dynamic, movement-focused feeling.

including the totality of

Shifts the focus to complete inclusion.

embracing the width of

Uses "embracing" to suggest acceptance and inclusion, and retains "width" as a synonym for "breadth".

reaching across the magnitude of

Replaces the core words with synonyms, which means a complete change in wording, while keeping close the original meaning.

incorporating the scale of

Replacing "spanning" with "incorporating" changes the sense to include the item.

comprising the area of

Replacing "spanning" with "comprising" and "breadth" with "area" slightly alters the core.

FAQs

How can I use "spanning the breadth of" in a sentence?

You can use "spanning the breadth of" to describe something that covers a wide range or scope. For example: "The conference featured speakers "spanning the breadth of" the technology industry".

What are some alternatives to "spanning the breadth of"?

Some alternatives include "covering the range of", "encompassing the scope of", or "extending across the spectrum of".

Is "spanning the breadth of" formal or informal?

"Spanning the breadth of" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts.

What is the difference between "spanning the breadth of" and "spanning the length and breadth of"?

"Spanning the breadth of" refers to covering the width or scope of something, while "spanning the length and breadth of" refers to covering both the length and width, implying a more comprehensive coverage.