a general consciousness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general consciousness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a collective awareness or understanding shared by a group or society. Example: "In today's society, there is a growing general consciousness about environmental issues and sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The survey also includes questions measuring attitudes about a general consciousness about racism.

The Washington Post

Her cohort accomplished their work with such vigor that the writers who followed a group in which I count myself, having worked at Jezebel from 2014 through this summer could trust that a general consciousness of contemporary sexism had already been raised.

The New Yorker

I think that by the time I reached adulthood there was a general consciousness, at least in the West, that those who were affluent enough to have access to proper healthcare and commensurate amenities could anticipate four-score and more.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Rebecca West was a household name for decades of readers, but has faded now a little from the general consciousness.

The Guardian - Books

The Carol immediately entered the general consciousness; Thackeray, in a review, called it "a national benefit, and to every man and woman who reads it a personal kindness".

Encyclopedia Britannica

The diet will be heavily promoted with a national print, television and radio campaign, and outreach via Facebook and Twitter, all part of the publicity machine that propels diet books — one of the largest revenue generators in publishing — into general consciousness.

The New York Times

But for a player who represents the best of basketball in a bunch of ways in Nash's general consciousness and sense of humor, in the insane astuteness and awesome generosity of his on-court virtuosity to join a team that defines the most decadent, dessicated celebritized shittiness of the NBA feels… well, it feels like a business decision.

Vice

A heresy, to which I subscribe, began to invade the general consciousness of more serious filmgoers: What a film is "about" is not the best reason for seeing it the first time, rarely a reason to see it twice, and almost never a sufficient reason for seeing it several times.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Like politics, science can be made to look ridiculous in the relentless increments of the legitimate news cycle, even before the information spins haphazardly off into the Internet universe and plunges back to Earth with an uncertain collision with the wired general consciousness.

The New York Times

I think people have been thinking about it for a relatively short period of time because it's arisen in the general consciousness that this is going to be a key thing.

TechCrunch

One is Hedi Slimane, whose divisive collections at Saint Laurent have unwittingly made their way into a general designer consciousness.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a general consciousness" to describe widely held beliefs or understandings within a specific population or society. Ensure the context clarifies the subject of the shared awareness.

Common error

Don't use "a general consciousness" when simply describing public awareness of a specific event. "Consciousness" implies a deeper, more pervasive understanding than mere awareness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general consciousness" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing shared awareness about topics like racism, sexism, or healthcare. The Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a general consciousness" refers to a shared awareness or understanding prevalent within a group or society. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable. While not extremely frequent, it's found in varied contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a collective awareness rather than individual opinions. Consider alternatives like "widespread awareness" or "collective understanding" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a widespread awareness

Focuses on the breadth of awareness across a population.

a collective understanding

Emphasizes shared comprehension among individuals.

a public perception

Highlights how something is viewed by the general populace.

a common knowledge

Refers to information generally known by most people.

a societal cognizance

Indicates a broad recognition within society.

a prevailing sentiment

Captures the dominant feeling or attitude in a group.

a shared perspective

Emphasizes a unified viewpoint among individuals.

a cultural mindset

Reflects the collective attitudes and beliefs of a culture.

a community awareness

Highlights awareness within a specific community.

a broad understanding

Stresses the extensive and inclusive nature of comprehension.

FAQs

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

You can use "a general consciousness" to describe a widespread awareness or understanding of a particular issue within a group or society. For example, "There is a growing "general consciousness" about the importance of mental health".

What are some alternatives to "a general consciousness"?

Some alternatives include "a widespread awareness", "a collective understanding", or "a public perception", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "general consciousness" without the article "a"?

While "general consciousness" can be used, including the article "a" often provides a more natural and grammatically sound construction, especially when referring to a specific instance or development of that consciousness.

What is the difference between "a general consciousness" and "public opinion"?

"A general consciousness" refers to a broad awareness or understanding of something, while "public opinion" refers to the collective attitudes or beliefs of the public on a particular issue. Consciousness is about awareness; opinion is about judgment.