Range vs. Scope: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Range refers to the extent, array, or span of things, whereas scope denotes the breadth, extent, or focus of a topic or activity.
Key Differences
Range typically implies a variety or a span of items, distances, or values. For example, the range of a set of numbers is the difference between the highest and lowest values. Scope, however, refers to the extent, reach, or ambit of a subject or discussion. It encompasses what is covered or addressed within a topic or project.
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Dec 09, 2023
When discussing 'range', one might refer to the range of products offered by a company, indicating a variety of different products. 'Scope', in contrast, could be used when talking about the scope of a project, indicating the boundaries and focus areas that the project will cover.
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Dec 09, 2023
Range often suggests flexibility and diversity, such as the range of skills a person has. Scope, on the other hand, implies certain boundaries or limitations, as in the scope of an investigation, which defines what will and will not be considered.
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Dec 09, 2023
In mathematics or statistics, 'range' has a specific meaning related to numerical values. In project management or research, 'scope' is used to define the limits or extent of the project's reach or study's focus.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
While sometimes used interchangeably in casual speech, 'range' and 'scope' have distinct meanings in specific contexts. Range often relates to the array or spectrum of something, while scope is more about the depth, focus, or extent of a topic.
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Dec 09, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Interchangeability
Sometimes used interchangeably
More specific in certain contexts
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Range and Scope Definitions
Scope
Extent of area or subject matter
The scope of the investigation is limited to last year.
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Dec 09, 2023
Range
Span between two extremes
The temperature range today is 68 to 75 degrees.
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Dec 09, 2023
Scope
Range of action or view
The new policy falls within the scope of our department.
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Dec 09, 2023
Range
A number or grouping of things in the same category or within specified limits
Offers a range of financial services.
Jobs at different pay ranges.
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Scope
Opportunity or possibility to do something
The job offers wide scope for creativity.
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Dec 09, 2023
Range
An amount or extent of variation
A wide price range.
The range of genetic diversity.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
Focus or target of something
The scope of the study includes only urban areas.
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Dec 09, 2023
Range
(Music) The gamut of tones that a voice or instrument is capable of producing. Also called compass.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
The range of one's perceptions, thoughts, or actions
Broaden one's scope by reading.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
The opportunity or possibility to function or be active
Gave her imagination broad scope.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
Extent of perception, knowledge, experience, or ability
Calculus is simply out of my range.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
The extent of a given activity or subject that is involved, treated, or relevant
The scope of the debate.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
The area or sphere in which an activity takes place
Beyond the range of the court's jurisdiction.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
The maximum extent or distance limiting operation, action, or effectiveness, as of a sound, radio signal, instrument, firearm, or aircraft
The limited range of the telescope.
Out of range of their guns.
Within hearing range.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
(Linguistics) The range over a part of a sentence or discourse that a quantifier has an effect on.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
The maximum distance that can be covered by a vehicle with a specified payload before its fuel supply is exhausted.
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Scope
To examine or investigate, especially visually
Scoped the landscape for signs of wildlife.
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Scope
To examine using an optical instrument such as a telescope or an endoscope
Scoped the stars around Orion.
Scoped the patient's esophagus.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
A testing area at which rockets and missiles are launched and tracked.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
(weapons) A device used in aiming a projectile, through which the person aiming looks at the intended target.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
The geographic region in which a plant, animal, or other organism normally lives or grows.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
(programming) The region of program source code in which a given identifier is meaningful, or a given object can be accessed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
The opportunity or freedom to wander or explore
We had free range of the campus.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
(logic) The shortest sub-wff of which a given instance of a logical connective is a part.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
(linguistics) The region of an utterance to which some modifying element applies.
The scope of an adverb
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
(Statistics) The difference or interval between the smallest and largest values in a frequency distribution or a set of data.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
A group or series of things extending in a line or row, especially a row or chain of mountains.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
Any medical procedure that ends in the suffix -scopy, such as endoscopy, colonoscopy, bronchoscopy, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
A north-south strip of townships, each six miles square, numbered east and west from a specified meridian in a US public land survey.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
To perform any medical procedure that ends in the suffix -scopy, such as endoscopy, colonoscopy, bronchoscopy, etc.
The surgeon will scope the football player's knee to repair damage to a ligament.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
To vary within specified limits
Sizes that range from small to extra large.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
(programming) To limit (an object or variable) to a certain region of program source code.
If we locally scope the user's login name, it won't be accessible from outside this function.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
To cover or have application to a number of things
Their conversation ranged over the major issues of the day. Her responsibilities range across all aspects of the negotiations.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
(informal) To examine under a microscope.
The entomologist explained that he could not tell what species of springtail we were looking at without scoping it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
To move through, along, or around in an area or region
Raiders ranged up and down the coast.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
That at which one aims; the thing or end to which the mind directs its view; that which is purposed to be reached or accomplished; hence, ultimate design, aim, or purpose; intention; drift; object.
Your scope is as mine own,So to enforce or qualify the lawsAs to your soul seems good.
The scope of all their pleading against man's authority, is to overthrow such laws and constitutions in the church.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
To look over something or around an area or place
The teacher's eyes ranged over the class.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
Room or opportunity for free outlook or aim; space for action; amplitude of opportunity; free course or vent; liberty; range of view, intent, or action.
Give him line and scope.
In the fate and fortunes of the human race, scope is given to the operation of laws which man must always fail to discern the reasons of.
Excuse me if I have given too much scope to the reflections which have arisen in my mind.
An intellectual cultivation of no moderate depth or scope.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
To live or grow within a particular region
"Some animals and plants range over a large portion of the world, yet retain the same character" (Charles Darwin).
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
To arrange or dispose in a particular order, especially in rows or lines
"In the front seats of the galleries were ranged the ladies of the court" (Carolly Erickson).
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
To assign to a particular category; classify
Her works are often ranged under the headings Mystery and Science Fiction.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
To look at for the purpose of evaluation; usually with out; as, to scope out the area as a camping site.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
To move through or along or around in (an area or region)
The scouts ranged the mountain forests. The patrol boat ranged the coast.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
An area in which something acts or operates or has power or control:
The range of a supersonic jet
The ambit of municipal legislation
Within the compass of this article
Within the scope of an investigation
Outside the reach of the law
In the political orbit of a world power
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
To look over or throughout (something)
His eyes ranged the room, looking for the letter.
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
The state of the environment in which a situation exists;
You can't do that in a university setting
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
Electronic equipment that provides visual images of varying electrical quantities
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Oct 19, 2023
Scope
Breath of the applicability or impact
The law's scope affects multiple industries.
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Dec 09, 2023
Range
(Nautical) To uncoil (an anchor cable) on deck so the anchor may descend easily.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
A fireplace; a fire or other cooking apparatus; now specifically, a large cooking stove with many hotplates.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
The distance from a person or sensor to an object, target, emanation, or event.
We could see the ship at a range of five miles.
One can use the speed of sound to estimate the range of a lightning flash.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
The maximum distance or reach of capability (of a weapon, radio, detector, etc.).
This missile's range is 500 kilometres.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
The distance a vehicle (e.g., a car, bicycle, lorry, or aircraft) can travel without refueling.
This aircraft's range is 15 000 kilometres.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
The extent or space taken in by anything excursive; compass or extent of excursion; reach; scope.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
(mathematics) The set of values (points) which a function can obtain.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
(statistics) The length of the smallest interval which contains all the data in a sample; the difference between the largest and smallest observations in the sample.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
The defensive area that a player can cover.
Jones has good range for a big man.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
(music) The scale of all the tones a voice or an instrument can produce.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
(ecology) The geographical area or zone where a species is normally naturally found.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
(programming) A sequential list of values specified by an iterator.
Calls the given function on each value in the input range.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
An aggregate of individuals in one rank or degree; an order; a class.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
A wandering or roving; a going to and fro; an excursion; a ramble; an expedition.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
In the public land system, a row or line of townships lying between two succession meridian lines six miles apart.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
The variety of roles that an actor can play in a satisfactory way.
By playing in comedies as well as in dramas he has proved his range as an actor.
By playing in comedies as well as in dramas he has proved his acting range.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
To exercise the power of something over something else; to cause to submit to, over.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
(transitive) To bring (something) into a specified position or relationship (especially, of opposition) with something else.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
(intransitive) Of a variable, to be able to take any of the values in a specified range.
The variable x ranges over all real values from 0 to 10.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
(transitive) To classify.
To range plants and animals in genera and species
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
(intransitive) To form a line or a row.
The front of a house ranges with the street.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
(intransitive) To be placed in order; to be ranked; to admit of arrangement or classification; to rank.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
(transitive) To set in a row, or in rows; to place in a regular line or lines, or in ranks; to dispose in the proper order.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
(transitive) To place among others in a line, row, or order, as in the ranks of an army; usually, reflexively and figuratively, to espouse a cause, to join a party, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
(biology) To be native to, or live in, a certain district or region.
The peba ranges from Texas to Paraguay.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
To sail or pass in a direction parallel to or near.
To range the coast
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
(baseball) Of a player, to travel a significant distance for a defensive play.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
To set in a row, or in rows; to place in a regular line or lines, or in ranks; to dispose in the proper order; to rank; as, to range soldiers in line.
Maccabeus ranged his army by bands.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Range
To place (as a single individual) among others in a line, row, or order, as in the ranks of an army; - usually, reflexively and figuratively, (in the sense) to espouse a cause, to join a party, etc.
It would be absurd in me to range myself on the side of the Duke of Bedford and the corresponding society.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Range
To dispose in a classified or in systematic order; to arrange regularly; as, to range plants and animals in genera and species.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
To rove over or through; as, to range the fields.
Teach him to range the ditch, and force the brake.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
To sail or pass in a direction parallel to or near; as, to range the coast.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Range
To rove at large; to wander without restraint or direction; to roam.
Like a ranging spaniel that barks at every bird he sees.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
To have range; to change or differ within limits; to be capable of projecting, or to admit of being projected, especially as to horizontal distance; as, the temperature ranged through seventy degrees Fahrenheit; the gun ranges three miles; the shot ranged four miles.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
To be placed in order; to be ranked; to admit of arrangement or classification; to rank.
And range with humble livers in content.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
To have a certain direction; to correspond in direction; to be or keep in a corresponding line; to trend or run; - often followed by with; as, the front of a house ranges with the street; to range along the coast.
Which way the forests range.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
To be native to, or live in, a certain district or region; as, the peba ranges from Texas to Paraguay.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
A series of things in a line; a row; a rank; as, a range of buildings; a range of mountains.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
An aggregate of individuals in one rank or degree; an order; a class.
The next range of beings above him are the immaterial intelligences.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
A kitchen grate.
He was bid at his first coming to take off the range, and let down the cinders.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
An extended cooking apparatus of cast iron, set in brickwork, and affording conveniences for various ways of cooking; also, a kind of cooking stove.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
A wandering or roving; a going to and fro; an excursion; a ramble; an expedition.
He may take a range all the world over.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
That which may be ranged over; place or room for excursion; especially, a region of country in which cattle or sheep may wander and pasture.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
Extent or space taken in by anything excursive; compass or extent of excursion; reach; scope; discursive power; as, the range of one's voice, or authority.
Far as creation's ample range extends.
The range and compass of Hammond's knowledge filled the whole circle of the arts.
A man has not enough range of thought.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Range
The horizontal distance to which a shot or other projectile is carried.
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
In the public land system of the United States, a row or line of townships lying between two successive meridian lines six miles apart.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Range
An area in which something acts or operates or has power or control:
The range of a supersonic jet
The ambit of municipal legislation
Within the compass of this article
Within the scope of an investigation
Outside the reach of the law
In the political orbit of a world power
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Range
The limits within which something can be effective;
Range of motion
He was beyond the reach of their fire
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
A large tract of grassy open land on which livestock can graze;
They used to drive the cattle across the open range every spring
He dreamed of a home on the range
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
A series of hills or mountains;
The valley was between two ranges of hills
The plains lay just beyond the mountain range
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
A place for shooting (firing or driving) projectiles of various kinds;
The army maintains a missile range in the desert
Any good golf club will have a range where you can practice
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
The limits of the values a function can take;
The range of this function is the interval from 0 to 1
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
A variety of different things or activities;
He answered a range of questions
He was impressed by the range and diversity of the collection
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
A kitchen appliance used for cooking food;
Dinner was already on the stove
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
Change or be different within limits;
Estimates for the losses in the earthquake range as high as $2 billion
Interest rates run from 5 to 10 percent
The instruments ranged from tuba to cymbals
My students range from very bright to dull
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
Move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment;
The gypsies roamed the woods
Roving vagabonds
The wandering Jew
The cattle roam across the prairie
The laborers drift from one town to the next
They rolled from town to town
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
Have a range; be capable of projecting over a certain distance, as of a gun;
This gun ranges over two miles
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
Range or extend over; occupy a certain area;
The plants straddle the entire state
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
Assign a rank or rating to;
How would you rank these students?
The restaurant is rated highly in the food guide
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Oct 19, 2023
Range
Extent of abilities or capacities
Her skills range from cooking to coding.
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Dec 09, 2023
Range
Set of different things within a category
The survey covered a range of opinions.
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Dec 09, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can scope be used to describe physical distances?
Scope is generally not used for physical distances but rather the extent of a project or study.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
How does scope relate to project management?
In project management, scope defines the boundaries and deliverables of a project.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
Is range always about physical distances?
No, range can refer to an array of things, such as skills, products, or ideas.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
Is range related to diversity?
Range often implies diversity, such as a range of options or ideas.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
What is the range in a statistical context?
In statistics, range refers to the difference between the highest and lowest values in a dataset.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
Can businesses use both terms?
Yes, businesses often refer to the range of their products and the scope of their services.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
Is the scope more about depth or breadth?
Scope can refer to both the depth and breadth of a topic, depending on the context.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
Can range be subjective?
Range can be subjective, especially when referring to opinions or preferences.
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Dec 09, 2023
How do range and scope differ in research?
Range refers to the variety of topics or data, while scope is about the depth and focus of the research.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
Can range refer to abilities?
Yes, it can describe the span of someone's abilities or skills.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
Does scope imply limitations?
Yes, it often sets the boundaries of what will be included or considered.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
Is range more quantitative or qualitative?
Range can be both, depending on whether it refers to numerical values or varieties.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
Does scope always include a goal or target?
Scope usually involves a goal or target, especially in projects or research.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
Can range be used in a technical field?
Yes, in fields like engineering or science, range can refer to specifications or capacities.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
Does scope relate to focus?
Yes, scope often implies a focused area of study or work.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
Does the scope include operational boundaries?
In many contexts, scope does include operational or project boundaries.
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Dec 09, 2023
Can range and scope overlap?
They can overlap in casual usage but have distinct meanings in specific contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
How do range and scope affect decision-making?
Understanding the range and scope of options can significantly impact decision-making processes.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 09, 2023
Can range refer to emotional states?
Yes, it can refer to a range of emotions or feelings.
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Dec 09, 2023
Is the scope of a study always fixed?
The scope can change, but it usually requires clear definition or redefinition.
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Dec 09, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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