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Grammar fix

broadly speaking

generalising

Used to introduce a general statement that does not include every detail or exception.

expressionC1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • Broadly speaking, people in big cities tend to have a faster pace of life.daily life
  • Broadly speaking, technology has made communication much easier, although there are still some challenges for older generations.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: broadly speaking, [clause]

WrongBroad speaking, it's fine.

RightBroadly speaking, it's fine.

It's 'broadly' (adverb), not 'broad'.

Patternbroadly speaking, [clause]

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff Speaking in general and approximate terms, without attention to specific exceptions, it works.

Natural Broadly speaking, it works well.

The chunk hedges a generalisation in two words; the formal version is a whole clause.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • broadly speaking + generalisation
    there areit'swe cantwo types

Don't confuse it

'Broadly speaking' is more formal than 'generally', and less absolute than 'in fact'. It signals you are summarising or simplifying.

Try it in Daily Speak →