a general sentiment

USAGE SUMMARY

"a general sentiment" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a feeling or opinion that is shared by many people. For example, "There is a general sentiment among the public that government services need to be improved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Nevertheless, there seems to be a general sentiment among these politicians that they fulfill a specific need.

The New York Times

A moral distinction, therefore, immediately arises; a general sentiment of blame and approbation; a tendency, however faint, to the objects of the one, and a proportionable aversion to those of the other.

The New Yorker

The song is undeniably connected with the Champions League (Thompson said one study by his company showed that 98 percent of Europeans surveyed could identify the anthem), and from the standpoint of providing gravity to the Champions League games, the song appears to arouse from players, coaches and fans a general sentiment of respect and appreciation.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Baucus raised the American concerns about Syria in his meeting with Mr. Medvedev, who expressed a desire to work with the United States but reiterated a general sentiment among Russian officials that they had been betrayed after agreeing not to block a Security Council resolution authorizing a no-fly zone over Libya to protect civilians.

The New York Times

James A. Cohen, a professor at the Fordham University Law School, said the finger pointing by the two men could reflect a general sentiment that it is socially unacceptable to harm women, even if there are countless examples to the contrary.

The New York Times

Intersect words in the corpus with polar words in a general sentiment lexicon.

Lingua Sinica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Do you think this is a side effect of growing older, or a more general sentiment shared by Americans of all ages?

Huffington Post

The chorus, "If you knew now what you knew then/You wouldn't want to go home," is a more general sentiment that I imagine someone somewhere might relate to.

The New York Times

We focused too much attention on tax returns and Trump's business record, and not enough on a more general sentiment that Washington had forgotten broad swaths of the American people.

Huffington Post

Aging-related factors were also prevalent in the responses of a number of patients, including fear of falling due to poor balance, as well as a more general sentiment of being unable to exercise "because I am too old".

Clinical interventions in aging

General Sentiment, a social analytics company, measured the volume of activity on Twitter and user sentiment around some shows for The New York Times.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a general sentiment", ensure that the context clearly indicates who holds this sentiment. Be specific about the group or population whose feelings you are describing to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a general sentiment" represents the views of everyone. Even when a sentiment is widespread, there are often dissenting opinions or nuances within the larger group. Acknowledge potential exceptions to avoid misrepresentation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general sentiment" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting a widespread feeling, opinion, or attitude shared by a group of people. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical function and usability in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a general sentiment" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase to describe a widespread feeling or opinion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears frequently in news and media, science, and encyclopedic sources, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's essential to specify the group holding the sentiment and avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives include "a prevailing feeling" and "a common perception". Be mindful that while a general sentiment exists, dissenting opinions can also be present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prevailing feeling

Emphasizes the widespread nature of the feeling, suggesting it's currently dominant.

a common perception

Highlights the shared understanding or interpretation of something among a group.

a widespread belief

Focuses on a belief held by many people, suggesting a shared conviction.

a shared viewpoint

Indicates a common perspective or way of looking at something.

a collective opinion

Stresses that the opinion is formed and held by a group as a whole.

a popular notion

Suggests that the idea is widely accepted and favored.

a public mood

Captures the overall emotional state or feeling of the general public.

a majority view

Indicates that most people hold this particular view or opinion.

the overall impression

Focuses on the general feeling or understanding derived from something.

the dominant attitude

Highlights the prevailing mindset or disposition within a group or society.

FAQs

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

You can use "a general sentiment" to describe a feeling or opinion that is widely shared. For example, "There is "a general sentiment" that the new policy is unfair".

What's a good alternative to "a general sentiment"?

Alternatives include "a common perception", "a widespread belief", or "a prevailing feeling", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always accurate to assume there's "a general sentiment"?

No, it's essential to ensure that the sentiment is genuinely widespread and not just a vocal minority. Research and evidence should support the claim of a widespread feeling or opinion.

How does "a general sentiment" differ from "public opinion"?

"A general sentiment" is a more informal and broad expression of feeling, while "public opinion" typically refers to measured or polled views on specific issues. Public opinion is often quantified, while "a general sentiment" is a more qualitative assessment.