spans the breadth of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spans the breadth of" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to cover or encompass a wide range or variety of something. Example: His knowledge of literature spans the breadth of Shakespeare's works, from tragedies to comedies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Drug use also spans the breadth of Chinese society.

The New York Times

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 study of developmental disability spans the breadth of human endeavours; those who work in fields ranging from molecular genetics to civil rights have investigated the concept.

Britannica

The Cell Death Discovery international Editorial Board spans the breadth of the coverage of the journal – view the full Editorial Board.

Nature

The scope of necessary organization evolution spans the breadth of University IT's service portfolio; e.g., staff development, policy definition, and business modeling.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The German election, for the first time in postwar history, sent seven parties spanning the breadth of the political spectrum to a Parliament that has swelled to 709 seats.

The New York Times

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

npj Biofilms and Microbiomes is run by an international editorial team with expertise spanning the breadth of research topics on microbial biofilms and microbiomes – read more about the Editors and the Nature Research team here.

Nature

npj Vaccines is run by an international editorial team with expertise spanning the breadth of research topics on vaccines – read more about the Editors and the Nature Research team here.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spans the breadth of" to effectively convey that a subject covers a wide array of topics, areas, or ideas. Ensure the context clearly defines what is being spanned for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "spans the breadth of" when a simpler term like "covers" or "includes" would suffice. Overusing the phrase in simple contexts can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spans the breadth of" functions as a verb phrase that modifies a noun, indicating the extent or scope of coverage. Ludwig AI confirms this use, showing its prevalence in contexts where wide-ranging coverage is emphasized.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

32%

Science

29%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spans the breadth of" is a versatile phrase used to express comprehensive coverage across a wide range of subjects or areas. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. While effective, it's important to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in simpler contexts where more direct language would suffice. Alternatives like "covers the extent of" or "encompasses the scope of" can provide similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

covers the extent of

Emphasizes the degree to which something is covered.

encompasses the scope of

Highlights the inclusion of all aspects within a defined scope.

includes the range of

Focuses on the variety contained within certain limits.

extends across the spectrum of

Implies a distribution or spread across different points.

reaches the entirety of

Stresses the completeness of the coverage.

comprises the totality of

Highlights the complete and inclusive nature.

encircles the perimeter of

Indicates a boundary or limit being encompassed.

spreads throughout the domain of

Emphasizes the distribution across a specific area or field.

traverses the length of

Focuses on movement or passage along a certain distance.

embraces the width of

Implies a welcoming or inclusive approach to all that is within a span.

FAQs

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

Use "spans the breadth of" to describe something that covers a wide range or variety. For example, "The course "spans the breadth of" modern physics, from quantum mechanics to relativity."

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

You can use phrases like "covers the extent of", "encompasses the scope of", or "includes the range of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "span the breadth of" or should I use "spans the breadth of"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "span" for plural subjects and "spans" for singular subjects. For example, "These courses "span the breadth of" the subject", but "This course "spans the breadth of" the subject."

What's the difference between "spans the breadth of" and "spans the depth of"?

"Spans the breadth of" refers to covering a wide range of topics or areas, while "spans the depth of" implies exploring a subject in great detail. Breadth is about horizontal coverage, and depth is about vertical exploration.