a general notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general notion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an idea or opinion that is widely accepted or believed, but not necessarily accurate. For example, "There is a general notion that public transportation is unreliable, but many buses and trains run on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

3 However, this hypothesis generates a rather puzzling picture which seems implausible as a general notion of the relationship between goal- and preference-attributions.

Developmental Science

Even a general notion and feeling has not been developed in the minds of most designers.

Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation Proceedings of the International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation 2–4 April 2001, Cape Town, South Africa

The notion of teaching creativity was practically and theoretically connected to a general notion of "discursivity".

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

There is a general notion that the Fed has vast powers over the economy itself.

The New York Times - Magazine

We introduce a general notion of Dirac operator (in dimension d=1, 2, …) that is appropriate for multivariable operator theory.

Journal of Functional Analysis

We show the soundness and completeness of our logic with respect to a general notion of conformance.

The Journal of Logic and Algebraic Programming

Extending the work of Cuntz and Vershik, we develop a general notion of independence for commuting group endomorphisms.

Journal of Functional Analysis

"But there is a general notion that they want to accumulate influence, which will necessarily diminish U.S. power".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

In fact, what Balzin proves in [1] is even more general than Theorem 7.17: instead of our notion of a good prefibration, he introduces a more general notion of a semifibration over a category with a factorization system.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

More generally, abstract algebra makes great use of matrices with entries in a ring R. Rings are a more general notion than fields in that a division operation need not exist.

Wikipedia

Actually, the theory of coalgebra studies a more general notion, that of bisimulation on a coalgebra for a given functor, defined first in Aczel and Mendler (1989).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a general notion", ensure the context provides sufficient clarity. If precision is needed, consider supplementing with specific details or examples.

Common error

Avoid using "a general notion" as a substitute for concrete evidence or analysis. While it's useful for introducing a broad concept, always support it with specifics to strengthen your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general notion" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It indicates a broad understanding or concept, often shared by many people. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

34%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a general notion" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to introduce a widely held belief or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers numerous examples across diverse contexts, primarily in science and news media. While versatile, it's essential to avoid using it as a substitute for concrete evidence and instead, to support it with specific details. Alternatives like "a broad concept" or "a basic understanding" can be used depending on the desired nuance. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, you can effectively use "a general notion" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a general idea

Similar, but slightly less formal than "a general notion".

a general sense

Emphasizes the intuitive or feeling-based nature of the understanding.

a broad concept

Focuses on the conceptual aspect, emphasizing the width of the idea.

a basic understanding

Highlights the fundamental grasp of a subject.

a common perception

Emphasizes the shared nature of the understanding among people.

a prevailing view

Focuses on the widespread acceptance of the idea.

a rough idea

Implies a less precise or detailed understanding.

a basic premise

Highlights the foundational aspect of the idea, framing it as a starting point for reasoning.

a vague impression

Suggests an unclear or ill-defined understanding.

a conventional wisdom

Highlights the long-standing, often unquestioned, acceptance of the idea.

FAQs

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

You can use "a general notion" to introduce a widely held belief or understanding. For instance, "There's "a general notion" that a college degree leads to better job opportunities."

What phrases can I use instead of "a general notion"?

Alternatives include "a broad concept", "a basic understanding", or "a common perception" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "a general notion" or "a general idea"?

Both "a general notion" and "a general idea" are acceptable, but "a general notion" might sound slightly more formal or academic, while "a general idea" is more commonly used in everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "a general notion" and "conventional wisdom"?

"A general notion" refers to a widespread belief or understanding, while "conventional wisdom" implies a long-standing, often unquestioned belief that may or may not be accurate.