a general portrait of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general portrait of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an overview or summary of a subject, providing a broad understanding without going into specific details. Example: "The report aims to provide a general portrait of the current economic situation in the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But interviews with lawyers and witnesses involved in many of Mr. Scarcella's cases, and who would presumably be central to any review, have provided a general portrait of the investigation's current status.

The New York Times

Four elements in the questionnaire allowed us to paint a general portrait of the effects of access to various resources that favor collaboration between organizations.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Once identified, as suggested by Huberman & Miles [ 84], the themes will be grouped together in individual tables to provide a general portrait of the contents of each interview.

BMC Health Services Research

Information on the virus-bearing animals, contaminated environments, pathogenic homology and the exposure history of population makes possible a general portrait of the chain of transmission.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The Supreme Court opinion further distinguishes this case from Roiphe's general portrait of date-rape cases: the hypersensitive female charging an innocently blundering male with a terrible crime for doing what came naturally and doing it without a peep from her.

The New Yorker

In the case of Portugal, previous population genetics studies have already revealed the general portrait of HVS-I and HVS-II mitochondrial diversity, becoming now important to update and expand the mitochondrial region analysed.

Forensic Science International: Genetics

A self-described "student of history," he outfitted his conference room with reminders of what it takes to join the ranks of the most respected attorneys general: portraits of lionized predecessors, including some who defied their presidents or restored the Justice Department after scandal.

The New York Times

"The general portrait here of a mental patient is sort of the caricature you see in American films, of the violent psychotic killer," said Lucie Broukalova, director of Green Doors, an agency affiliated with Ondrejov Daily Sanatorium, a mental institution in Prague.

The New York Times

The daughter of a local hero of a general, whose portrait broods judgmentally over every scene, Hedda wants grandeur out of life, but not at the expense of being an outcast.

The New York Times

What OSIRIS was seeing from space was in line with the general portrait that Tubiana had drawn of the comet during her Ph.D., which she finds gratifying.

Science Magazine

DNA USA A Genetic Portrait of America.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a general portrait of", ensure it's followed by a clear indication of what is being portrayed. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a general portrait of" when specific details are required. This phrase is best suited for providing a high-level understanding, not in-depth analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general portrait of" functions as a prepositional phrase, introducing a noun that represents a summarized or broad depiction of a subject. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

67%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a general portrait of" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to introduce a summary or overview of a subject. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. While relatively rare in occurrence, it finds use in both news and scientific contexts. Its primary function is to provide a high-level understanding, making it essential to clarify what exactly is being portrayed to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "an overall depiction of" and "a broad overview of" can be used for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an overall depiction of

Uses "overall" to emphasize the comprehensive nature of the representation.

a broad overview of

Emphasizes the breadth and summarization aspect.

a comprehensive summary of

Highlights the completeness of the summary.

a rough sketch of

Implies a less detailed, more preliminary representation.

a basic outline of

Focuses on the foundational elements of a subject.

a simplified account of

Indicates a reduction in complexity.

an introductory explanation of

Indicates that the explanation is for beginners.

a brief description of

Focuses on brevity and conciseness.

a panoramic view of

Emphasizes the all-encompassing perspective.

a superficial assessment of

Suggests a lack of depth in the evaluation.

FAQs

How can I use "a general portrait of" in a sentence?

Use "a general portrait of" to introduce a broad overview or summary. For example, "The study provides a general portrait of the challenges faced by small businesses."

What are some alternatives to "a general portrait of"?

Alternatives include "an overall depiction of", "a broad overview of", or "a comprehensive summary of", depending on the desired emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "a general portrait of"?

It's appropriate when you want to give a high-level view without delving into specifics. It sets the stage for further detailed explanations.

How does "a general portrait of" differ from "a detailed analysis of"?

"A general portrait of" offers a summary, while "a detailed analysis of" involves a thorough examination of specific elements. The former is broad, the latter is narrow and deep.