Grammar fix

a sweeping statement

overgeneralisation

a comment or claim that is too general and does not consider all the facts or exceptions; an overgeneralisation.

collocationC1occasional

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

Saying that all politicians are dishonest is a sweeping statement.communication
I try to avoid making sweeping statements in discussions, because it's important to recognise that there are always exceptions.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: make/issue a sweeping statement | that's a sweeping statement

WrongDon't do sweeping statements about people.

RightDon't make sweeping statements about people.

You MAKE a statement, never 'do'.

Patternmake/issue a sweeping statement | that's a sweeping statement

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff That is far too general a claim and it ignores the exceptions.

Natural That's a sweeping statement.

The idiom names the fault — a too-broad claim that ignores exceptions.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

make a sweeping statement/generalisation
makegeneralisationbroadabout

Don't confuse it

Unlike a simple 'statement', which can be any comment or claim, 'a sweeping statement' criticises the claim for being overgeneralised and lacking nuance.

Try it in Daily Speak →