a general fact

USAGE SUMMARY

'a general fact' is a perfectly acceptable phrase.
You can use it when referring to a concept that is widely accepted and well-known. For example, "It is a general fact that humans have an average life expectancy of around 78 years".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

On Mondays, parents received a general fact about the benefits of a certain literacy skill.

Stanford University

The nice feature of a general fact is its falsifiability by the observation of a single case.

New Ideas in Psychology

"It's a general fact about physics that the people you tend to remember are the theorists," he went on.

The New Yorker

"We knew as a general fact that our predictions were little better than random guesses," he writes.

The Guardian

And as a general fact of modern living, Facebook knows who we like, Foursquare knows where we are and Twitter knows what we think.

The New York Times

This style of research does not require that researchers depend on highly skilled engineers in data analysis, as the very structure of a general fact can be established by scrutinizing a contingency table.

New Ideas in Psychology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

That he had an extraordinarily sensitive nervous constitution and took an assortment of medications is well-documented as a more general fact.

SEP

Natural selection is a complex general fact of which utility is the organizing principle.

SEP

Although d is given explicitly, the monotonicity of it required for the existence of the inverse function is a rather general fact and can be verified as in [18, Theorem 2.1], where the continuous case was considered.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

This registers an important general fact about pragmatic explanations in the Gricean style.

SEP

The existence of uncountable sets follows from a much more general fact, also discovered by Cantor.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a general fact", ensure that the information you are presenting is indeed widely accepted and not a debated opinion. Provide context or evidence to support the assertion.

Common error

Avoid presenting niche findings or specific research outcomes as "a general fact". Always consider the scope and limitations of the information you are conveying.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general fact" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or appositive. Ludwig AI indicates that is used to introduce or refer to a widely accepted piece of information. It commonly serves to establish a shared understanding or premise.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

33%

Academia

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a general fact" is a noun phrase used to present information that is widely known and accepted. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is most frequently found in science, news, and academic contexts. While interchangeable with phrases like ""a common truth"" or ""a well-known fact"", it's crucial to ensure the information truly reflects a broad consensus and isn't a niche opinion. Avoiding overuse and overstating the generality are essential for clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common truth

Emphasizes the widespread acceptance and understanding of the statement.

a basic principle

Highlights the foundational nature of the fact in a particular field or system.

a well-known fact

Focuses on the familiarity and recognition of the information.

an established truth

Stresses the proven and verified nature of the fact.

a fundamental truth

Underscores the essential and irreducible nature of the fact.

a universal truth

Highlights that the fact is true regardless of location, time or persons involved.

a broad understanding

Focuses on a wide range of comprehension and acceptance of a concept.

a recognized principle

Emphasizes official acknowledgement and acceptance of a concept or guideline.

a widespread belief

Highlights the common acceptance within a group, which may or may not be a scientific certainty.

a general observation

Focuses on how the fact has been noted and confirmed across multiple instances.

FAQs

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

You can use "a general fact" to introduce a statement that is widely known and accepted, such as, "It is "a general fact" that regular exercise benefits your health."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "a general fact"?

Alternatives to "a general fact" include "a common truth", "a well-known fact", or "a basic principle". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to start a sentence with "a general fact"?

While grammatically correct, starting every statement with "a general fact" can sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by incorporating the phrase elsewhere in the sentence or using synonyms.

What's the difference between "a general fact" and "a theory"?

"A general fact" refers to something widely accepted as true, while a theory is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon that is still being tested and refined. Facts are usually backed by strong evidence, whereas theories are frameworks to interpret those facts.