a general interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a broad or common interest shared by a group of people or in a specific context. Example: "The seminar will cover topics that are of a general interest to all attendees, including recent developments in technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

This is an interesting result, as it shows a general interest among Internet users for the preconception care topic.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

It could be a general interest update that their friend might find interesting but isn't something that needs to be kept private.

TechCrunch

Lerer and Lauerman aren't just professionally interested in the business potential of such a site, or a general interest in the topics.

TechCrunch

"There's just a general interest".

The New York Times

It helps, too, that I have a general interest in criminal justice.

The New York Times

But he expressed a general interest in working for a team.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

"What I've always been interested in is a general-interest magazine about style.

The New York Times

It is a general-interest newspaper, not a black one.

The New York Times

That's part of the reason we are doing a general-interest site, to work on how we get a general-interest audience to become engaged citizens.

The New York Times

And, despite being a general-interest magazine, a lot of advertisers like us too.

The New York Times

He said it would have been a general-interest debate with a "Latino take on it".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the context clarifies what the "general interest" pertains to. Providing specific examples or elaborating on the area of interest enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a general interest" without specifying the subject or field. For example, instead of saying "There's a general interest", specify "There's a general interest in renewable energy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general interest" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to denote a widespread or common area of interest.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

28%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a general interest" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a broad or common area of concern or curiosity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject of interest. Alternatives like "a widespread interest" or "a public interest" may provide a more precise nuance depending on the context. Be mindful of vagueness; always clarify what the "general interest" pertains to for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a widespread interest

Replaces "general" with "widespread", emphasizing the breadth of the interest among a population.

a broad concern

Replaces "general" with "broad", highlighting the extensive range of the concern.

a common concern

Shifts the focus from interest to concern, implying a shared worry or issue.

a public interest

Indicates that the interest is of concern to the public or community as a whole.

a universal interest

Suggests an interest that is shared by nearly everyone.

a collective interest

Emphasizes that the interest is shared and held jointly by a group.

a shared curiosity

Replaces "interest" with "curiosity", emphasizing a desire to learn or know more.

a prevailing interest

Indicates an interest that is currently dominant or widespread.

a mainstream interest

Suggests that the interest is part of the dominant culture or trend.

a widespread curiosity

A common feeling of wondering about something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a general interest" to describe a widespread or common interest. For example, "There is "a general interest" in environmental issues".

What are some alternatives to saying "a general interest"?

Alternatives include "a widespread interest", "a common concern", or "a public interest", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "general interest" or "specific interest"?

The choice depends on the context. "General interest" refers to a broad area, while "specific interest" denotes a particular focus. Use whichever best describes the situation.

What's the difference between "a general interest" and "a common interest"?

"A general interest" implies a broad or widespread interest. "A common interest" indicates that multiple people share the same specific interest. The nuance lies in the breadth versus the shared nature of the interest.