a general commitment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general commitment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a broad or overarching promise or dedication to a cause, principle, or action. Example: "The organization has made a general commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

It will require a general commitment of all states, democratic or not, to the maintenance of continual consultative relations.

The New York Times

"But I think there's a general commitment to it, particularly among providers pushing for professionalisation of their staff," he said.

The Guardian

He said nothing about the issue in public, beyond a general commitment to individual rights and the rule of law.

The New York Times

Unlike governments, which tend to prioritize their own political interests when making policy, the groups involved share a general commitment to maintaining the technical efficiency of the Internet.

The New York Times

Beyond a general commitment to eliminate sources of illegal income, the plan says that officials must abide by already announced rules to report earnings and assets to superiors.

The New York Times

"Here in the Southern Caucasus we have seen a general commitment to unite terrorist forces to make a bid for state power.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

A new Commission for Equality and Human Rights might help to promote this, but only if accompanied by a more general commitment to rights values.

The Guardian

This idea evolved into a more general commitment to have our undergraduate students engage fundamental human debates, dilemmas and discourses, both as the means to develop critical thinking and for the purpose of becoming active citizens of our world.

University of California, Berkeley

Time For Action, published in November 2008, set out seven policy "strands" (page 53), each informed by contributions to seminars held by the Mayor the preceding September (see page 62) but also a more general commitment to increasing support and opportunity for the young, in particular the less advantaged.

The Guardian

As a result, Hieronymi concludes that Sher has failed to show that blame which must involve such dispositions is essentially tied to a more general commitment to morality.

SEP

This reflects a more general commitment on Davidson's part to the inseparability of questions of ontology from questions of logic.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a general commitment", ensure it's followed by specific actions or details to avoid vagueness. For instance, instead of just stating "a general commitment to sustainability", outline specific sustainability initiatives.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the significance of "a general commitment" by implying it guarantees substantial change. A general commitment is an expression of intent, not a guarantee of outcome. Use stronger language, such as "a firm guarantee", if the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general commitment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., 'express', 'reaffirm', 'make'). It denotes an avowal or pledge that is broad in scope. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a general commitment" is a commonly used phrase that signals a broad intention or promise. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used in various contexts, including news media, scientific literature, and business communication. While "a general commitment" is often used to express a dedication to a particular cause or principle, it's crucial to support it with specific actions to avoid vagueness. When employing the phrase, consider alternatives like "a broad agreement" or "a basic pledge" to better suit the nuances of your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a broad agreement

This alternative emphasizes the agreement aspect but lacks the sense of obligation.

a basic pledge

This emphasizes a promise, but suggests it's fundamental or introductory.

a fundamental dedication

This alternative highlights the deepness of the commitment.

a standing promise

This suggests an ongoing promise.

a primary obligation

This highlights the compulsory nature of the commitment.

a shared understanding

This implies mutual acknowledgement without necessarily involving action.

an overarching promise

This stresses the comprehensiveness or dominance of the promise.

a common understanding

This underlines a shared acknowledgement.

a preliminary undertaking

Suggests the commitment is at an early stage and may not be fully formed.

a loose agreement

This implies a not very formal agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "a general commitment" in a sentence?

You can use "a general commitment" to describe a broad promise or intention. For example: "The company expressed "a general commitment" to reducing its carbon footprint."

What can I say instead of "a general commitment"?

You can use alternatives like "a broad agreement", "a basic pledge", or "a fundamental dedication depending on the context".

What's the difference between "a general commitment" and "a specific commitment"?

"A general commitment" refers to a broad intention or promise, while "a specific commitment" involves a detailed and actionable plan. For example, a general commitment might be to improve customer service, whereas a specific commitment would detail how this will be achieved.

Is it better to have "a general commitment" or "a specific commitment"?

It depends on the context. "A general commitment" is useful for outlining overall goals, while "a specific commitment" is necessary for concrete action. Ideally, a general commitment should be followed by specific commitments to ensure effective implementation.