wide spectrum

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wide spectrum" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a broad range of items or ideas. For example, "The report covers a wide spectrum of topics, from the economy to education."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Romário targets a wide spectrum.

The New York Times - Sports

But Boko Haram covers a wide spectrum.

The Economist

Wood's work covers a wide spectrum.

Independent

The term Islamist covers a wide spectrum.

The Economist

I needed to have that wide spectrum.

The Guardian - Sport

They cover a wide spectrum of topics.

The New York Times

There's a wide spectrum of democracy in the system.

The New Yorker

The recipes, which cover a wide spectrum, are first-rate.

The New York Times - Books

Acupuncture is an alternative treatment for wide spectrum chronic pain.

Nature

Treatments include administration of a wide spectrum of antibiotics.

Britannica

Such programs span a wide spectrum of program designs.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wide spectrum" to describe a comprehensive range or variety of something, ensuring that the context clearly indicates what is being encompassed by this spectrum.

Common error

Avoid using "wide spectrum" when a more specific descriptor is available. Overusing it can dilute the message if the actual range isn't that broad or diverse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wide spectrum" functions primarily as a modifier describing the noun that follows it. It indicates a comprehensive range or variety. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wide spectrum" is a versatile and frequently used expression that signifies a comprehensive range or variety. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for a variety of contexts, particularly in science, news, and encyclopedic writing. When using "wide spectrum", consider alternatives like "broad range" or "diverse array" for nuanced emphasis. To ensure clarity, use it to describe entities where the expansive breadth is truly significant. By avoiding overuse in contexts that lack substantial variety, you enhance the phrase's impact and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broad spectrum

Uses 'broad' instead of 'wide' to describe the extent of the range, offering a synonymous alternative.

extensive range

Replaces 'spectrum' with 'range', emphasizing the extent of variety or coverage.

wide range

Similar to the original phrase but using 'range' instead of 'spectrum'.

wide array

Synonymous, using 'array' to denote a large and organized collection.

diverse array

Emphasizes variety and difference within the set, rather than the continuous scale.

comprehensive scope

Highlights the completeness and thoroughness of the coverage.

extensive variety

Combines 'extensive' and 'variety' to highlight a wide-ranging assortment.

vast scope

Uses 'vast' to emphasize the great extent or scale of the scope.

varied assortment

Focuses on the mixed nature of the collection, emphasizing the differences between items.

full gamut

Emphasizes the completeness of the range, covering all possible points.

FAQs

How can I use "wide spectrum" in a sentence?

You can use "wide spectrum" to describe a broad range of things, such as "The company offers a "wide spectrum" of services" or "The research covered a "wide spectrum" of opinions".

What are some alternatives to "wide spectrum"?

Alternatives include "broad range", "extensive variety", or "diverse array" depending on the specific context.

Is "wide spectrum" formal or informal?

"Wide spectrum" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it appears more frequently in formal writing such as scientific papers or news articles.

How does "wide spectrum" differ from "broad range"?

While both "wide spectrum" and "broad range" are similar, "wide spectrum" often implies a continuous scale or a more detailed categorization, whereas "broad range" simply indicates a large variety.