I generally would

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I generally would" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a typical or usual inclination or preference in a hypothetical situation. Example: "If given the chance, I generally would choose to travel during the summer months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It is certainly something I look for when I recruit, if a candidate is not fluent in other languages I generally would not consider them – if I do it's usually for a discrete assignment," he says.

The Guardian

"I generally wouldn't take advice about what's good for Democrats" from Mr. McConnell, he told an audience in Pennsylvania.

The New York Times

So I set up a smaller experiment within my no-makeup challenge -- I have been exerting the same amount of confidence that I generally would with makeup, but this time, without any makeup.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I think you generally would want to have officers with a higher level of training, and to give them some discretion," Mr. Flint said.

The New York Times

I feel that most women generally would support our sauna policy.

Independent

Mr. SMITH: I don't think he generally would by the way.

TechCrunch

In Austin, I explored neighbourhoods that people generally wouldn't think to visit".

Vice

Ferguson: I would though I would generally follow John's investment arc that he described there geographically, I think there are some trouble spots, even along that arc.

Forbes

But Mercedes executive director Paddy Lowe said: "It's not an attractive direction performance-wise so I think generally we would intend to stick with the 13-inch wheels".

BBC

If it was something serious I think generally we would discuss those things".

BMC Health Services Research

"Generally, I would say nothing beats a price cut to make a sale.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I generally would" when expressing a habitual action or preference in hypothetical or conditional scenarios. This phrasing is suitable for conveying a common practice or inclination.

Common error

Avoid using "generally" in every sentence. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure with synonyms like "usually", "typically", or "commonly" for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I generally would" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express a conditional or habitual action. It indicates a common practice or inclination under certain circumstances. According to Ludwig, this is a correct and usable phrase in English writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I generally would" is a grammatically correct modal verb phrase that expresses a common practice or inclination in a hypothetical or conditional context. While Ludwig confirms its validity, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid repetitiveness. This phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources and maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. For alternative phrasing, consider using "I would usually", "I would typically", or "I'd be inclined to" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I would usually

Emphasizes habitual action in similar circumstances but replaces "generally" with "usually".

I would typically

Substitutes "generally" with "typically" to express a common behavior or expectation.

I'd be inclined to

Expresses a tendency or preference towards a certain action.

I'd be apt to

Indicates a natural tendency or likelihood to do something.

I'm generally inclined to

Adds "inclined to" to express a disposition or preference.

I'm generally disposed to

Expresses a predisposition towards a particular action or belief.

I'm usually one to

Indicates a habitual behavior or tendency of the speaker.

I would commonly

Uses "commonly" instead of "generally" to denote frequent action.

I tend to

Shortened form indicating a usual or habitual action.

As a rule, I would

Expresses a general practice or guideline typically followed.

FAQs

How can I use "I generally would" in a sentence?

You can use "I generally would" to express a common action or inclination in a particular situation. For example, "If given the opportunity, "I generally would" prefer to travel during the off-season."

What phrases are similar to "I generally would"?

Similar phrases include "I would usually", "I would typically", or "I'm generally inclined to". These alternatives offer slightly different nuances but convey a similar meaning of habitual action.

Is "I generally would" formal or informal?

The phrase "I generally would" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and situation.

When is it better to use "I usually would" instead of "I generally would"?

Both "I usually would" and "I generally would" are very similar. "Usually" might be preferred when emphasizing the frequency of an action, while "generally" can suggest a broader, more common practice or inclination. For example, if you’re talking about going to the gym you might say "I usually would go after work" to mean it's frequent, but ""I generally would" not recommend going to the gym during peak hours because of how crowded it is" to mean it's a broad recommendation.