a general state

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general state" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an overall condition or situation that is not specific or detailed. Example: "The report indicated a general state of improvement in the economy over the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a general state.

The Guardian

We were seeing more litigation and more contentiousness and a general state of unhappiness within buildings".

The New York Times

("Inexplicable," Mr Denard agreed, but true; "an accident arising out of a general state of madness").

The Economist

Proceeds of the New York State mansion tax feed a general state fund.

The New York Times

This is certainly abnormal, not normal, in a society that has this as a general state of mind".

The New Yorker

He concluded that attention to disorder in general might be an error and that, while loosely connected, specific acts may not reflect a general state of disorder.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a general state of mind, boredom is morally suspect, threatening to shine its dull light back on the person who invokes it.

The New York Times - Books

The pope urged public officials to protect Egypt's image, which he said was suffering from a general state of instability and lawlessness.

The New York Times

It must be held within 90 days of the announcement, unless the vacancy occurs during a year when "there shall be held a general state or Congressional election".

The New York Times

Even though the number of graft cases has soared since 2008 and the bursting of Spain's construction bubble, Mr. Rajoy added that "it is malicious to claim that there is a general state of corruption in Spain".

The New York Times

The alleged intelligence failure was due to a general state of "anarchy" within the interior ministry, and a lack of political will in the face of widespread corruption and poor discipline, Mr Zarrouk said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a general state", ensure it's followed by a noun or prepositional phrase that specifies what is in that state (e.g., "a general state of decay", "a general state of confusion").

Common error

Avoid using "a general state" as a vague placeholder. Always provide context to clarify what specific condition or situation is being described. Saying there is "a general state" without explaining what that means, makes your writing less effective and hard to understand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general state" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often followed by a prepositional phrase (e.g., "a general state of decay"). As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes an overall condition or situation, which is corroborated by numerous examples in the provided data.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a general state" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe an overall condition or situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. To use it effectively, ensure it's followed by a specifying phrase. While it's common, avoid vagueness by providing clear context. Consider alternatives like "an overall condition" or "a broad situation" for variety. Remember that while the phrase is valid in many situations it's best to be specific as possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an overall condition

Focuses on the all-encompassing nature of the situation, similar to "a general state".

a broad situation

Emphasizes the wide-ranging aspects of the scenario, akin to "a general state".

a common condition

Highlights the widespread occurrence of the state, similar to "a general state".

a typical situation

Suggests that the state is representative and expected, like "a general state".

a prevailing condition

Indicates the dominant or widespread nature of the state, similar to "a general state".

a widespread condition

Focuses on how broadly the condition is experienced, aligning with "a general state".

a state of affairs

Describes the current situation or circumstances, close to the meaning of "a general state".

a prevailing atmosphere

Highlights the overall mood or environment, similar to describing "a general state".

a general climate

Emphasizes the overall prevailing conditions, similar to "a general state".

an environment

Implies the surrounding circumstances or conditions, akin to "a general state".

FAQs

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

Use "a general state" to describe an overall condition or situation that's not specific. For example, "The country was in "a general state of disrepair"" or "The company is in "a general state of uncertainty"".

What phrases are similar to "a general state"?

Similar phrases include "an overall condition", "a broad situation", or "a prevailing condition". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "in a general state of"?

Yes, the phrase "in a general state of" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe the overall condition or situation of something. Examples include "in "a general state of confusion"" or "in "a general state of decline"".

What's the difference between "a general state" and "a specific state"?

"A general state" refers to a broad, overall condition, while "a specific state" points to a particular, defined condition. For example, describing a patient being in "a general state of health" indicates their overall well-being, versus pointing out if they are in "a specific state of illness".