broad in + area/quality
Describing range or knowledge
In introduces the field, quality, or scope.
broad in experience and practical skills.
Broad with prepositions
Broad is commonly followed by in, especially for areas of knowledge or qualities. Other prepositions can appear in specific contexts.
Quick answer
Which prepositions are common after broad?
Broad in is the most common pattern for qualities, knowledge, or scope. Broad of can appear in expressions like broad of shoulder. Broad with is used for physical features or filled areas. Broad for and broad to are uncommon directly after broad.
broad in scope and ambitious.
She is broad in her knowledge of history.
He was broad of shoulder.
The valley is broad with farmland.
She is broad in her knowledge of history.
He was broad of shoulder.
The valley is broad with farmland.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
broad of + body feature
Describing physical build
Of appears in fixed descriptive expressions about physical features.
broad of chest and very strong.
broad with + thing
Describing something covered or filled
With introduces what fills or characterises an area.
The river spread broad with spring rain.
broad to + audience
Describing reach or accessibility
To may appear when broad modifies another idea such as appeal or access.
The campaign has appeal broad to younger voters.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
broad in
The report is broad in scope.
Standard for range, knowledge, or coverage.
broad of
The actor was broad of shoulder.
Literary or descriptive expression about physical features.
broad for
The road is too broad for this village.
For usually belongs to a comparison, not directly to broad.
broad to
The service is broad to a global audience.
Less common and often better rephrased as broad in appeal or available to.
broad with
The plain was broad with wheat fields.
Used for areas filled or covered with something.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using for as a fixed pattern
Broad for usually expresses suitability or comparison, not a set adjective pattern.
✕ She is broad for experience. ✓ She has broad experience.Overusing to after broad
Broad to is limited and often sounds unnatural.
✕ The topic is broad to science. ✓ The topic is broad in scope.Confusing in and of
In is for areas or qualities, while of is mostly for physical features.
✕ He is broad in shoulder. ✓ He is broad of shoulder.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The agreement is broad ___ scope.
2. The athlete was broad ___ shoulder.
3. The road is too broad ___ the old bridge.
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Frequently asked questions
Is broad in correct?
Yes. It is the most common pattern for areas of knowledge, range, or scope.
Can I say broad of shoulder?
Yes. It is a traditional descriptive expression about physical build.
Is broad to natural English?
Only in limited contexts. Many sentences sound more natural with in or another structure.
Related preposition guides
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