a general summary

USAGE SUMMARY

"a general summary" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to refer to a brief overview or condensed version of something, such as a book, article, presentation, or event. Example: "Can you provide a general summary of the report for our meeting tomorrow?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

With cameras rolling, he was asked for a general summary of the day.

The New York Times - Sports

A general summary of today's proceedings at the United Nations is here.

The Guardian

"As a general summary, fixing is drastically less common on the main tour than it was five years ago, and it in turn was less common than five years before that, he added.

The Guardian - Sport

This chapter also offers a general summary and conclusion for the present book.

Shaping Knowledge Complex Social-Spatial Modelling for Adaptive Organizations

The following highlights may be as a general summary of the topics in this issue.

Applied Petrochemical Research

This chapter provides a general summary of fatigue concepts, measurement techniques or methods, data presentation, and theory.

Fatigue and Tribological Properties of Plastics and Elastomers

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

If it's a general submission for promotion or an online gallery, then your artist statement is a more general summary of your art practice.

WikiHow

When paediatricians, neonatal nurse practitioners and neonatal nurses spoke to parents after the resuscitation the information given varied, ranging from detailed information to a more general summary of events.

BMJ Open

The conclusion should open by giving a brief, general summary of the points you covered in the body paragraphs, then draw a larger conclusion about your two subjects.

WikiHow

Our main motivation for the present study was to develop a simple and general summary of blockwise data that (i) removes the need for phase information and (ii) captures short-range linkage information, allowing more powerful inferences than the SFS.

Genetics

The EQ-5D is a well-known example of a PRO that uses general summary items to assure perceived relevance across cultures and across illness conditions [ 49].

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a general summary" to provide context before diving into specifics. This helps the audience understand the bigger picture before exploring the details.

Common error

Avoid making the summary so broad that it loses its informative value. Ensure key details are represented, even if briefly, to maintain accuracy and relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general summary" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object within a sentence. As shown by Ludwig, it refers to a condensed version of information, providing an overview.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a general summary" is a frequently used phrase, found across a spectrum of Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business sources. As verified by Ludwig AI, it serves as a noun phrase to provide a concise overview of a subject, helping audiences to quickly grasp the essential information. For more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "executive summary". When preparing a summary, ensure it presents a balanced representation of the key points to avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a summary overview

Reiterates the summarization aspect.

a brief overview

Focuses on the conciseness of the summary.

a concise synopsis

Highlights the succinct nature of the summary.

a high-level summary

Highlights the lack of granular detail.

a broad outline

Emphasizes the comprehensive yet high-level nature of the summary.

a basic summary

Emphasizes the simplicity of the summary.

a quick rundown

Suggests a fast and informal summary.

a comprehensive summary

Highlights how thorough and complete the summary is.

an executive summary

Implies a summary tailored for decision-makers, often in a business context.

a synthesized abstract

Implies a higher level of processing to generate the summary.

FAQs

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

You can use "a general summary" to introduce or conclude a topic. For example, "This chapter provides "a general summary" of the key findings."

What is the difference between "a general summary" and an executive summary?

While both provide an overview, "a general summary" offers a broad understanding of a topic. An "executive summary" is specifically tailored for decision-makers, highlighting key points and recommendations.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a general summary"?

Alternatives include "a brief overview", "a concise synopsis", or "a broad outline", depending on the desired emphasis.

Is it always necessary to include "a general summary" in a report?

Including "a general summary" is highly recommended as it offers readers a quick grasp of the subject matter. It’s particularly helpful for those who may not have time to read the entire document.