I have a question about the usage of the phrases "take a broad view of something" and "take a wide view of something". Should they be interpreted to mean:
A.--consider the general aspects, rather than specific aspects, of something
, or:
B.--include a great variety of things when considering something
Keeping in mind the interchangeability of "broad" and "wide".
Definition 3 for "broad" in this dictionary:
def 3: including a great variety of people or things
with this example usage:
She took a broad view of the duties of being a teacher.
, which favors interpretation B.
But definition 3 for "wide" in this dictionary:
def 3: concerning the basic aspects of something rather than the details
, with this example usage:
Senior managers are expected to take a wider view of problems.
which favors the interpretation A.
So, if I write:
He took a broad/wide view of the economy.
, does it mean he only looked at the general aspects of the economy, or that he included a lot of other stuff when thinking about the economy?
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