Generally

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "generally" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is usually true or accepted. For example: "Generally speaking, it is a good idea to wear a helmet when riding a bike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's very sweet, polite, hard-working, kind and generally lovely.

The Guardian - Opinion

Economists generally agree that the key to addressing climate change is to raise the cost of burning fossil fuels, either directly, through a carbon tax, or indirectly, through a cap-and-trade program.

The Economist

The African Union and most southern African nations have generally been supportive of the vote, but sharp criticism has come from non-governmental groups and western governments including Britain.

The Guardian

So far, the RBA has generally erred on the side of fighting rising house prices first, leaving the sluggish economy and worryingly high level of unemployment largely to run its course.

The Guardian

There's a reason they're so popular, they're generally quite safe, and there's usually a good pub or two nearby.

The Guardian

As that "someone" is generally governments and authorities introducing rules and regulations, this seems to put some "free market" advocates in a quandary.

The Guardian

While it has a close relationship with Indiana's capital city, college sports have been at the forefront of several breakthroughs for gay rights in the last two years, and the young adults and college students the NCAA represents have generally been supportive of those changes.

The Guardian - Sport

It's not terrible: Bibb has a lot of fun as Rogers, cursing, burping and generally offending anyone she comes into contact with, and Dratch is a safe pair of hands as her beleaguered pal.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Probably not, though I generally support their progressive agenda," he said.

The Guardian

The term "big wall" is generally used by climbers to describe some of the world's longest climbs – usually predominantly on rock involving up to 30 rope lengths, and on which most climbers would expect to spend days climbing.

The Guardian

It had torn around round the island for about 36 hours, and given it a real thrashing, flattening vegetation, whipping off a few roofs and generally causing trouble.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generally" to introduce a statement that is true in most cases but may have exceptions. It adds a nuance of accuracy without overgeneralizing.

Common error

Avoid using "generally" as a filler word. Always follow it with specific examples or context to support the generalization and make your statement more credible.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "generally" functions as a qualifier, modifying a statement to indicate that it is true in most cases but may not be universally applicable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "generally" is a versatile adverb used to indicate that a statement is true in most cases, but not necessarily all. According to Ludwig AI, it is both grammatically correct and widely applicable. As showcased by the examples, it's prevalent in contexts like News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science, emphasizing its broad utility. Remember to use it judiciously, always ensuring the context supports the generalization and avoiding overuse as a filler. Consider alternatives such as "in general" or "typically" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in general

Emphasizes a broad overview without specific details.

on the whole

Highlights a comprehensive consideration of all factors.

by and large

Suggests that while there might be exceptions, the statement is mostly true.

typically

Focuses on what is most common or representative.

usually

Indicates a common practice or occurrence.

ordinarily

Highlights the standard or normal course of events.

as a rule

Implies adherence to a principle or pattern.

for the most part

Acknowledges that not every aspect is included, but the majority is.

broadly speaking

Indicates a wide-ranging perspective with less specific detail.

more often than not

Highlights a greater frequency of one outcome over others.

FAQs

How can I use "generally" in a sentence?

Use "generally" to indicate that something is true in most cases, but there may be exceptions. For instance, "Generally speaking, the weather is pleasant in the spring."

What are some alternatives to the word "generally"?

You can use alternatives like "in general", "typically", or "usually" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "generally" and "universally"?

Yes, "generally" means in most cases, but not all, whereas "universally" means in every case without exception. "Generally" implies potential exceptions, while "universally" does not.

When is it appropriate to use "generally speaking"?

"Generally speaking" is best used when introducing a broad statement or observation that may not apply in every single instance but holds true in most situations. It's similar to saying "in general" or "on the whole".