a general category of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general category of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing classifications or groupings of items, concepts, or phenomena that share common characteristics. Example: "Birds are a general category of animals that are characterized by feathers and the ability to fly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Most environmental law falls into a general category of laws known as "command and control".

Encyclopedia Britannica

In many parts of the world there have been tribal arts, some of which are sometimes bracketed with the "primitive" in a general category of ethnic art and are sometimes considered as folk art.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The similarity in the two bodies of law will become even more noticeable if, as has been proposed, American law comes to abandon its traditional distinctions between easements, profits, real covenants, and equitable servitudes and adopts instead, like the civil law, a general category of servitudes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In this paper, we introduce a general category of multi-fuzzy-neural networks (FNNs), analyze their underlying architecture and propose a comprehensive identification framework.

Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory

Affect is a term frequently used in marketing research to indicate a general category of feelings, including emotions and moods (Bagozzi et al. 1999).

Fashion and Textiles

That's a far cry from a few years ago, when virtually every other hardware manufacturer was lumped into a general category of potential "iPhone killers," most of which stood no chance of really standing up.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Refusal to be re-contacted tends to be given broadly: individuals refuse to be re-contacted about a general category (or categories) of findings.

BMC Medical Ethics

(JV) Increased quality of life could be seen as a general category encompassing many of the other perceived benefits to participants' self-management of their condition consequent on LTOT.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Since a pathway can be denoted as a set of genes, pathway enrichment belongs to a more general category of methods termed gene set enrichment.

BMC Systems Biology

The results hold for a quite general category of energy harvesting processes.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

What can explain and unify these obvious intuitions is that there is a most general category of entity masses of matter, where all the fundamental parts of any mass are essential to it.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a general category of", ensure that the context clearly defines the boundaries of the category you are referring to. Providing specific examples can enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a general category of" as a substitute for specific terms. Always aim to provide enough detail to make the category meaningful and not overly broad. Overgeneralization can weaken your writing and confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general category of" functions as a modifier followed by a noun. It is used to introduce and describe a broad classification or type, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples where it precedes various nouns like "laws", "species", and "wine yeast".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a general category of" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce broad classifications. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and prevalence across diverse fields like science, news, and encyclopedias. While versatile, it's important to use the phrase precisely and avoid overgeneralization by providing sufficient context. Alternatives such as "a broad type of" or "a common class of" may be suitable depending on the desired level of formality. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, you can effectively incorporate "a general category of" into your writing to enhance clarity and structure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a broad type of

Replaces "category" with "type", suggesting a less formal classification.

a common class of

Substitutes "general" with "common" and "category" with "class", indicating typical membership.

a wide-ranging group of

Uses "wide-ranging group" instead of "general category", emphasizing inclusivity.

a comprehensive classification of

Replaces "general category" with "comprehensive classification", implying a more structured grouping.

an overarching kind of

Uses "overarching kind" instead of "general category", suggesting a higher-level grouping.

a typical sort of

Substitutes "general category" with "typical sort", indicating a common or representative grouping.

a universal set of

Replaces "general" with "universal" and "category" with "set", implying broader scope.

a standard form of

Uses "standard form" instead of "general category", emphasizing conventional aspects.

a frequent variant of

Substitutes "general category" with "frequent variant", highlighting common variations.

a prevalent strain of

Replaces "general" with "prevalent" and "category" with "strain", suggesting widespread occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "a general category of" in a sentence?

You can use "a general category of" to introduce a broad classification or grouping. For example, "Fruits are "a general category of" foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants."

What are some alternatives to saying "a general category of"?

Some alternatives include "a broad type of", "a common class of", or "a wide-ranging group of" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "a general category of" and "a specific category of"?

"A general category of" refers to a broad classification, while "a specific category of" refers to a more defined and narrow subset within that classification. For example, "vehicles" are "a general category of" transportation, whereas "sports cars" are a specific category.

When is it appropriate to use "a general category of" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "a general category of" when you want to introduce a topic or subject in broad terms before narrowing down to more specific details. It helps to set the stage and provide context for the reader.