a good general

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good general" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is skilled or effective in military leadership or strategy. Example: "Throughout history, a good general has been crucial in leading armies to victory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a good general overview.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He is a good general and a good military leader".

The Guardian

This Second Circuit case provides a good general review of the development of VARA.

Harvard University

As always with Dana, it's a good general introduction to Bishop and her oeuvre.

Stanford University

A day of time off between workouts is a good general practice.

Harvard University

This last parameter was calculated employing two processing methodologies, finding a good general agreement between them.

Energy Conversion and Management

Most of us, I suppose, like to think we have a good general knowledge.

The New York Times - Books

Given the complexity and confusion, a good general principle would be to first do no harm.

The New Yorker

Still, creative amplification allowed for a good general picture of the score.

The New Yorker

There is a good general stock plus more expensive first editions and the like.

The Guardian - Books

But finding a good general history of the country has been difficult – until now.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be specific about the context. 'A good general' can apply to various fields, not just the military. Clarify what makes them 'good' in their respective domain.

Common error

Avoid using "a good general" as a generic compliment. It should specifically refer to leadership or strategic abilities, not just overall niceness or competence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good general" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'good' is an adjective modifying the noun 'general'. As Ludwig AI examples show, it describes someone possessing commendable qualities as a leader, particularly in military contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good general" is a phrase used to describe someone effective in military leadership and strategy. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates it's grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news, science, and academic sources. While its primary context is military, it can also apply metaphorically to leaders in other fields. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the person's leadership qualities and avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives include "a capable commander" or "an excellent military leader".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an effective leader

Replaces 'good' with 'effective', focusing on the ability to produce a desired result.

a capable commander

Replaces the adjective 'good' with 'capable' and 'general' with 'commander', focusing on leadership ability.

a strong leader

Replaces 'good' with 'strong', emphasizing leadership.

a first-rate commander

Uses the term 'first-rate' to emphasize a higher level of quality in commanding.

an excellent military leader

Substitutes 'good' with 'excellent' and 'general' with 'military leader', emphasizing superior leadership qualities.

a proficient strategist

Replaces 'good general' with 'proficient strategist', highlighting strategic skills.

a fine military mind

Uses 'fine military mind' to represent the qualities of a skilled general, emphasizing intelligence.

an accomplished tactician

Replaces 'good general' with 'accomplished tactician', pointing out tactical expertise.

a masterful leader

Substitutes 'good general' with 'masterful leader', underlining exceptional leadership.

a sound overall

Replaces 'good general' with 'sound overall', a more abstract way to describe the global goodness of something.

FAQs

How can "a good general" be used in a sentence?

You can use "a good general" to describe someone effective in military command, like in the sentence: "Throughout history, "a good general" has been crucial in leading armies to victory."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a good general"?

Alternatives include "a capable commander", "an excellent military leader", or "a proficient strategist", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a good general"?

Use "a good general" when referring to someone who demonstrates strong leadership, strategic thinking, and effective command, especially in challenging situations.

Is "a good general" applicable outside of military contexts?

Yes, while primarily associated with the military, "a good general" can metaphorically describe effective leaders in other fields, like business or politics, who display similar strategic and commanding abilities.