a general student

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general student" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a student who is not specialized in a particular field of study or who is taking a broad range of subjects. Example: "In our university, a general student can explore various disciplines before choosing a major."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

A general student assembly is scheduled for Tuesday, to discuss whether to call a further strike to protest the $800 fee, program cuts, and the unwillingness of the authorities to negotiate.

The New York Times

The culminating moment came in May 1970, when a general student strike on campus in the wake of the Kent State shootings turned into an attack on R.O.T.C. Protest leaders led hundreds of students to Harris Hall, where they broke down the doors using a bench.

The New York Times

Besides this unfairness, a general student loan repayment amnesty would have a couple of other hazards.

Huffington Post

Hundreds of colleges and universities closed for a general student strike, and out the window of a building at NYU, students hung a provocative sign: "They Can't Kill Us All".

Huffington Post

Tension began to emerge last week, when the group's executive committee wrote what they called a "reflection letter" suggesting that a general student strike could be more effective if it were delayed to coincide with the unlimited general strike of public sector and trade unions expected by many to take place this fall.

Vice

A mean difference of only 10% points between medical and nonmedical students indicates a substantial failure of medical education in providing medical students with better knowledge of a fundamental issue of disease prevention than a general student population.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

For example, a school receives 2.5 times the amount of funding it would receive for a general population student to educate a special education student.

Wikipedia

Several single-occupancy bathrooms that were formerly set aside for faculty are now open to the general student body – a change that was already under way in order to satisfy a law recently passed by the city of New York.

The Guardian

Student-athletes in Division I -- where the dumb jock myth is most firmly attached -- graduate on average at a higher rate than the general student body, according to data gathered by the federal government.

Huffington Post

Under IDEA, the federal government is supposed to fund 40percentt of the "excess cost" of educating children with disabilities — meaning the money above and beyond what's needed for a general education student.

Huffington Post

In general, student attitudes showed negative changes after completing a statistics course.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a general student", ensure the context clearly indicates you're referring to a student without specific specialization or a student representative of the average population. For instance, use it when comparing to students in specialized programs.

Common error

Avoid using "a general student" when "a generic student" might seem appropriate. "General" implies a broad or non-specialized student, while "generic" suggests a lack of distinct characteristics. Using "general" in place of "generic" might create ambiguity in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general student" functions as a noun phrase with an adjective modifier. The adjective "general" specifies the type of student, indicating one who is not specialized or is representative of a broad student population, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a general student" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that refers to a student who is not specialized or represents a typical student population. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness. While examples are relatively rare, the phrase is found across news media, scientific publications and wiki articles. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear and distinguish it from similar terms like "generic student" or "typical student". Alternatives include "an average student" or "a typical student", each carrying slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an average student

Focuses on the typical or common qualities of a student.

a typical student

Emphasizes the representativeness of the student within a larger group.

a regular student

Highlights the non-specialized or ordinary nature of the student.

an ordinary student

Similar to regular, emphasizing the lack of exceptional qualities.

a non-specialized student

Directly states that the student does not have a specific focus.

a student in general

Shifts the focus to students as a whole rather than a specific individual.

a mainstream student

Highlights belonging to the common student cohort, opposed to a specialized one.

a student without specific focus

This alternative specifically avoids mentioning that a student is general and adds that they don't have a specific focus.

an all-round student

Suggests competence in various areas, not necessarily lack of specialization.

a student population

Refers to a group of students, rather than an individual.

FAQs

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

You can use "a general student" to describe a student who is not specializing in a particular field, such as, "The survey compared the stress levels of medical students with those of "a general student" population".

What is the difference between "a general student" and "a typical student"?

"A general student" emphasizes the lack of specialization or a broad course of study, while "a typical student" focuses on representing the average or common student within a group.

When is it appropriate to use "a general student" instead of "an average student"?

Use "a general student" when highlighting the absence of a specific focus in studies. Use "an average student" when referring to a student who performs at the mean level in academics or other metrics.

What are some contexts where I might encounter the term "a general student"?

You may encounter "a general student" in discussions about student strikes, loan repayment programs, or in comparisons between different student populations, such as medical versus non-medical students. Examples include references to "general student strike" actions or comparisons of knowledge between general and specialized students.