sweeping
B2Neutral to formal (depending on context). The verb is everyday; the adjective is more common in formal, journalistic, or academic contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The act of cleaning a surface by brushing away dirt or debris with a broom or brush.
Extending over a wide area; broad in scope or effect; making no fine distinctions.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word exists primarily as the present participle/gerund of the verb 'sweep' and as an adjective. The adverbial form ('sweepingly') is rare. The adjective often carries connotations of being indiscriminate, overly general, or comprehensive.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The core meaning is identical. Spelling of related words follows regional conventions (e.g., 'swept' is consistent).
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[sweep + OBJ] (She is sweeping the floor.)[sweep + OBJ + ADJ] (The storm swept the streets clean.)[sweep + OBJ + ADV/PREP] (The fire swept through the forest.)[sweeping + NOUN] (a sweeping declaration)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sweep someone off their feet”
- “sweep something under the carpet/rug”
- “a clean sweep”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to major organisational changes or broad market trends ('sweeping restructuring', 'sweeping new regulations').
Academic
Used critically to describe overgeneralised theories or conclusions ('a sweeping historical claim').
Everyday
Primarily refers to the physical act of cleaning floors or paths.
Technical
Can describe broad, undiscriminating movements or effects in fields like meteorology ('sweeping cold front') or engineering ('sweeping arc').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She was sweeping up the leaves in the garden.
- The new policy sweeps aside decades of tradition.
American English
- He's sweeping the porch before the guests arrive.
- A wave of nostalgia swept over her.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My chore is sweeping the kitchen floor.
- She made a sweeping movement with her arm.
- The government promised sweeping reforms to the education system.
- Avoid making sweeping generalisations about people.
- The investigative report led to sweeping changes in corporate governance.
- His argument was undermined by its sweeping and unsupported nature.
- The philosopher was criticised for her sweeping dismissal of empirical evidence.
- The legislation grants the executive sweeping powers in times of crisis.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a GIANT BROOM making a WIDE, CLEAN path. This connects the physical action (sweeping the floor) with the abstract meaning (wide and comprehensive).
Conceptual Metaphor
GENERALIZING IS WIPING CLEAN (a 'sweeping statement' wipes away all exceptions and details).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating 'sweeping statement' as 'подметающее заявление'. Use 'обобщающее/бездоказательное утверждение'.
- The adjective 'sweeping' does not mean 'beautiful' or 'graceful' (as 'размашистый' might imply in some contexts). It implies scale and lack of specificity.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'sweeping' to mean 'fast' instead of 'broad' or 'comprehensive'.
- Overusing the adjective in informal speech where 'big' or 'major' would be more natural.
- Confusing 'sweeping' (adj.) with 'swiping' (verb).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'sweeping' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. While it often criticises overgeneralisation ('a sweeping statement'), it can be neutral or positive when describing scale ('sweeping reforms', 'sweeping landscape'). Context determines the connotation.
Directly, no. You don't describe a person as 'sweeping'. You describe their actions, statements, gestures, or the effects they create as sweeping (e.g., 'a sweeping gesture', 'she made sweeping changes').
Both mean 'broad in scope', but 'sweeping' often implies a lack of attention to detail or exceptions, and can suggest force or speed. 'Comprehensive' is more neutral and systematic, suggesting thorough inclusion (e.g., a 'comprehensive study' vs. a 'sweeping condemnation').
Use it very sparingly. It's an adverb meaning 'in a sweeping manner'. It's most natural in formal writing (e.g., 'The law was sweepingly applied'). In most cases, rephrasing is better ('applied in a sweeping way').
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