I was generally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was generally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a general opinion or observation about a situation or experience in the past. Example: "I was generally satisfied with the service at the restaurant, although there were a few minor issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And I was generally wildly inelegant.

The Guardian - Film

A. I think that I was generally perceived as aloof.

The New York Times

"I was generally able to get away from him.

The New York Times

I was generally a clerk of sorts, bank, wages, records.

The Guardian

I was generally, if not passionately, opposed to it before.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I was generally taught in classes of 20 or less.

The Guardian

I think I was generally insensitive — almost intentionally insensitive — to people's feelings and thoughts.

The New Yorker

I was generally unhappy in a career I had always loved.

The New York Times

I have all the newspapers each day, and I was generally on the front page.

The New York Times

And I was generally not having a good time, so I stopped.

The Guardian - Arts

I was generally regarded as strong and some people even said I was an inspiring leader.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was generally", ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand the scope and limitations of the generalization you're making.

Common error

Avoid using "I was generally" to make sweeping claims without any specific evidence or context. Always provide details or examples to support your generalization, or risk sounding vague and unconvincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was generally" functions as an introductory element in a sentence, modifying the verb that follows. It indicates that the action or state being described was typical, common, or prevalent, but not necessarily universal. As Ludwig AI shows, it is commonly found in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was generally" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe past states or actions that occurred typically but not universally. As shown by Ludwig AI, it's adaptable across various registers, mainly in journalism and news media. When using this phrase, remember to provide sufficient context to avoid overgeneralization. Alternative phrases like "typically I was" or "usually I was" can add variety to your writing while maintaining similar meaning. Keep in mind that Ludwig AI confirms its versatile applicability across a spectrum of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In general, I was

Rephrases with "in general" for a more formal tone.

I typically was

Replaces "generally" with "typically" to denote a common occurrence.

I usually was

Substitutes "generally" with "usually", implying a frequent but not constant state.

I often was

Replaces "generally" with "often", suggesting a high frequency of occurrence.

I tended to be

Uses "tended to be" to convey a disposition or inclination.

I mostly was

Employs "mostly" to indicate that the statement was true for the greater part of the time.

For the most part, I was

Adds "for the most part" to emphasize the overall truth of the statement despite possible exceptions.

By and large, I was

Uses "by and large" to express a statement that is generally true.

As a rule, I was

Employs "as a rule" to denote a common practice or occurrence.

On the whole, I was

Uses "on the whole" to indicate a comprehensive summary or overall impression.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I was generally" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases such as "in general, I was" or "on the whole, I was". These alternatives add a level of sophistication to your writing.

What's the difference between "I was generally" and "I was always"?

"I was generally" implies a common but not constant occurrence, whereas "I was always" suggests something happened without exception. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the frequency of the event or state you're describing.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I was generally"?

Yes, the phrase "I was generally" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. It is used to convey a past state or action that occurred frequently or typically but not necessarily all the time. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from reliable sources.

What are some synonyms for "I was generally" that I can use to vary my writing?

You can use synonyms such as "I typically was", "I usually was", or "I often was" to add variety to your writing while maintaining a similar meaning.