a general faith

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general faith" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a broad or overarching belief system that is not specific to any one doctrine or religion. Example: "In times of uncertainty, many people find comfort in a general faith that transcends specific religious teachings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That belief, along with a general faith in the importance of family, has led to a widespread effort by the church to compile and digitize family records.

The New York Times

While the latest survey shows a general faith in police institutions, another poll taken earlier in April suggested that Americans don't necessarily hold law enforcement in especially high regard.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He added: "I happen to believe that in general faith is a force for good".

Independent

Publicly, Jinnah had a non-sectarian stance and "was at pains to gather the Muslims of India under the banner of a general Muslim faith and not under a divisive sectarian identity".

Wikipedia

Instinct and my general faith in the kindness of strangers made me take a risk and reach out.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Aquinas answered this objection in somewhat the following way: the benefit that the theologian may derive from an investigation of natural reality cannot be determined in advance, but, in general, faith presupposes and therefore needs natural knowledge of the world; at times, an error concerning the creation leads people astray also from the truth of faith.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Not just money: It reaches to the core and affects your general faith in humanity, our government and basic trust in our financial system".

The New York Times

General faith in science cannot prop up these maximizing theories.

SEP

Theistic faith is essentially faith in God and, in general, faith of the kind exemplified by theistic faith must have some intentional object.

SEP

Pundits like to focus on squabbling between Democratic and Republican politicians, but it's experiences such as these that perhaps most corrode general faith in American institutions.

Vice

For this reason the general faith placed in the medical profession is unsurprising, and cannot necessarily be said to be generalisable for other groups in the population.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a general faith" when referring to a non-specific belief system or a widespread trust in something abstract, such as humanity or institutions. For example, "Despite setbacks, she maintained a general faith in the goodness of people."

Common error

Avoid using "a general faith" when a more specific term like "trust", "belief", or "confidence" would be more accurate. Overusing the phrase can make your writing vague.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general faith" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a broad or overarching belief, trust, or confidence, as illustrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a general faith" is a noun phrase used to express a broad or overarching belief, trust, or confidence. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase is suitable for neutral contexts, appearing in news media and scientific publications, and it serves to convey a fundamental belief or describe a widespread sentiment. Related phrases such as "a broad belief" or "a widespread trust" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Using the phrase properly will add clarity and sophistication to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental belief

Highlights a core, foundational belief.

a broad belief

Replaces "faith" with "belief" to emphasize the mental acceptance of something as true.

a shared faith

Highlights the communal aspect of the belief.

a widespread trust

Substitutes "faith" with "trust", highlighting reliance and confidence in something.

a collective belief

Emphasizes that the belief is held by a group.

a prevailing confidence

Focuses on widespread assurance and trust.

a common conviction

Emphasizes a shared and firmly held belief or opinion.

a universal conviction

Suggests a belief that is almost universally held.

a prevailing sentiment

Focuses on a widely held feeling or opinion.

a basic tenet

Highlights a fundamental principle or belief.

FAQs

What does "a general faith" mean?

The phrase "a general faith" refers to a broad, overarching belief or trust that isn't necessarily tied to a specific religion or doctrine. It signifies a fundamental confidence in something, such as humanity, institutions, or progress.

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

You can use "a general faith" to describe someone's overall outlook or perspective. For example, "Despite facing challenges, she maintained "a general faith" in the legal system".

What are some alternatives to "a general faith"?

Some alternatives to "a general faith" include "a broad belief", "a widespread trust", or "a common conviction". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more common to say "general faith" or "a general faith"?

Both "general faith" and "a general faith" are grammatically correct. "A general faith" is more suitable when referring to a specific instance or expression of general belief, while "general faith" can be used more broadly to describe the concept itself.