a general concept that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general concept that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when introducing or explaining a broad idea or principle that serves as a foundation for further discussion or elaboration. Example: "A general concept that underlies many scientific theories is the principle of causality."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Intelligent manufacturing is a general concept that is under continuous development.

Engineering

Structured text is a general concept that is implicit in a variety of approaches to handling information.

Data & Knowledge Engineering

Structured text is a general concept that is implicit in a variety of approaches in handling information.

Data & Knowledge Engineering

Bioremediation is a general concept that includes all those processes and actions that take place in order to biotransform an environment, already altered by contaminants, to its original status.

Trends in Food Science & Technology

If a particular software patent's claims can be distilled to a general concept that was in existence long before someone thought to implement the concept in software, there is a good chance it is an unpatentable abstract idea.

TechCrunch

A general concept that has been studied for long in relation to the quality of dynamic graph visualization is the mental map[38] [40] that the viewer has of the graph structure.

EPJ Data Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

For instance, pain acceptance seems to be a more general concept that includes acceptance of other kinds of unpleasant experiences, and it seems that general acceptance and not only pain acceptance could have positive effects on pain [ 44].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The notion behind this procedure is that protein structure is more conserved than sequence through evolution, a very general concept that helps in modelling proteins with similar sequences as long as their sequence identity (SI) is ≥30% over the alignment length (9, 10).

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

I was wondering if the authors could develop a bit more the general concept that seems to indicate that in disease (and in particular in cancer) the expression and levels of miRNAs are in general downregulated.

F1000Research

The findings of these studies provide a mechanistic clue to the general concept that the neonatal period and early stages of life are critical in affecting susceptibility to carcinogens.

Mutation Research-Reviews in Mutation Research

This is a complex idea, and parts of it could be wrong or right without destroying the general concept that a large asteroid impact could have created substantial environmental havoc.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When introducing a complex topic, start with "a general concept that" to provide a foundational understanding before diving into specifics. This helps readers grasp the overall framework.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences or paragraphs with "a general concept that". This can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing the idea.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general concept that" functions as an introductory element, setting the stage for explaining or elaborating on a fundamental idea. It is used to present a broad notion before providing specific details or examples. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase introduces a concept undergoing continuous development or one that is implicit in various approaches.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

12.5%

Formal & Business

12.5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a general concept that" is a useful phrase for introducing fundamental ideas or principles in various contexts. Ludwig's analysis highlights its function as an introductory element, its purpose in establishing a shared understanding, and its register as generally neutral to formal. While not exceptionally common, its usage is grammatically correct and its helpful in presenting broad ideas before delving into specifics. Ludwig examples illustrate usage in science, technology and a variety of other contexts, aligning with its purpose. While you can use it freely, remember to avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a broad notion that

Emphasizes the breadth or scope of the idea, rather than its generality.

a basic principle that

Highlights the fundamental nature of the concept.

a core idea that

Focuses on the central or essential aspect of the concept.

a fundamental concept that

Stresses the foundational importance of the concept.

a common understanding that

Highlights the shared or widespread acceptance of the idea.

a prevailing theory that

Implies a widely accepted explanation or model.

an overarching theme that

Suggests a unifying element or motif.

a widely held belief that

Indicates a common conviction or opinion.

a primary assumption that

Focuses on the underlying presupposition.

a recurring motif that

Highlights a repeated element or pattern.

FAQs

How can I use "a general concept that" in a sentence?

Use "a general concept that" to introduce a broad idea or principle upon which further discussion will be based. For example, "A general concept that underlies many economic models is the principle of supply and demand."

What are some alternatives to "a general concept that"?

You can use alternatives like "a broad notion that", "a basic principle that", or "a core idea that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a general concept that is generally accepted"?

Yes, using "generally accepted" after "a general concept that" is often redundant. The phrase already implies a broad understanding. Consider revising to a more concise statement.

When is it appropriate to use "a general concept that" in academic writing?

It's appropriate to use "a general concept that" when establishing a foundational understanding of a topic before delving into specific details or arguments. Ensure that the concept is indeed widely accepted and not a contested theory.