a general session

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general session" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a main meeting or gathering where all participants are invited to discuss topics of common interest. Example: "During the conference, we will have a general session to address the key issues facing our industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"It's not enough to say diversity is important," said Jannette L. Dates, dean of the Johnson School, who addressed a general session of the conference.

The New York Times

Mr. Mandel will discuss the outlook for advertising as a member of a panel at a general session today of the American Magazine Conference.

The New York Times

The change is to be described on Monday at a presentation during a general session of the 2010 American Magazine Conference.

The New York Times

Mr. Mandel was among the executives offering their forecasts and opinions at a panel during a general session of the 2001 American Magazine Conference at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Midtown Manhattan.

The New York Times

The effects on the English language was noted at a general session by Bob Garfield, a columnist for Advertising Age, as he interviewed Lee D. Applbaum, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at the RadioShack Corporation.

The New York Times

At the headquarters of the World Trade Organization, the countries gathered in a general session and later broke into discrete special-interest groups that tried to devise strategies that offer enough concessions to reach a compromise, while also appeasing groups at home.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Twelve companies will be selected to deliver on-stage presentations during a Supernova general session.

TechCrunch

Twelve buzzworthy companies will have the opportunity to deliver on-stage presentations during a Supernova general session on June 21.

TechCrunch

During a three-day general session of All-India Muslim League from 22 24 March 1940, a formal political statement was presented, known as the Lahore Resolution, which called on for the creation of an independent state for Muslims.

Wikipedia

The New Zealand judge told the MPs she was unavailable, leaving Rudd to answer their questions during a wide-ranging general session on the home secretary's work.. Goddard resigned from the abuse inquiry on 4 August.

The Guardian

Kyodo adds that "the mood in Tokyo was ecstatic early on Sunday" and "close to 2,000 people watching a live broadcast of the IOC's general session on a large screen at the Komazawa Olympic Park gymnasium erupted in cheers as IOC President Jacques Rogge opened the envelope holding the results of voting and read the city's name".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a specific event, ensure the context clearly indicates which "a general session" is being referenced. For instance, specify the conference or organization hosting the session.

Common error

Do not use "a general session" without providing sufficient context. Ensure your audience understands which meeting or gathering you are referencing to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general session" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object within a sentence. It identifies a specific type of meeting or gathering within a larger event, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a general session" refers to a main meeting within a larger event, often used in the context of conferences and conventions. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not extremely frequent, the phrase appears in a variety of contexts, predominantly in news, science, and wiki sources. When using the phrase, ensure clear context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "a plenary session" or "a main session" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Pay close attention that the correct alternative is connected to the specific nuance you want to transmit. In the scientific context (which is the second most frequent source domain) you could consider the alternative to "session" with an accurate synonym like "symposium".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a plenary session

Replaces 'general' with 'plenary', emphasizing completeness and full attendance. This is a very close synonym.

a main session

Uses 'main' as a simpler substitute for 'general', indicating the primary or most important session.

a key session

Highlights the importance of the session.

an opening session

Specifies that the session is at the beginning of an event.

a closing session

Specifies that the session is at the end of an event.

a conference-wide session

Emphasizes that the session is for the entire conference.

a large group session

Focuses on the size of the group attending the session.

a whole assembly meeting

Changes the structure to emphasize the entire assembly meeting.

a comprehensive gathering

Replaces both 'general' and 'session' to convey a more holistic sense of a meeting.

a collective forum

Uses 'collective forum' to emphasize the collaborative aspect of the session.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "a general session"?

The phrase "a general session" typically refers to a main meeting or gathering where all participants are invited to discuss topics of common interest, often used in the context of conferences or conventions.

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

You might say, "The keynote speaker will present during "a general session" on the final day of the conference."

What's the difference between "a general session" and "a plenary session"?

While both terms describe a main meeting, "a plenary session" often implies a more formal and comprehensive gathering where all members are present to make decisions or hear important announcements.

Are there alternatives to using "a general session"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a main session", "a key session", or "a conference-wide session" to convey a similar meaning.