a really general

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a really general" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is broad or not specific in nature. Example: "The report provided a really general overview of the project's objectives, lacking detailed information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the next section we will expound the semantics of abstract logics and generalized matrices that serves to develop a really general theory of the algebraization of logic systems.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Even teens, to be really general, are a little more formal" than the average academic-year-abroad student wearing sweatpants and a Hoyas sweatshirt.

The New York Times - Style

They often seem genuinely interested and then say something bizarre like "you must have a really good general knowledge".

The Guardian

And the Lib Dem MP admitted it was "clearly a possibility" his party could come fourth in the 2014 European elections, but he said it went on to "have a really good general election result" in 2010, a year after the last polls for MEPs.

BBC

Instead of thinking about really general goals, stay specific.

WikiHow

My first thought on the running mate question is that to balance his ticket, Barack Obama should pick a really old white general.

The New York Times

So, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, who was represented by a really terrific adjutant general lawyer, who was taken off the case because he was actually.

Huffington Post

"Digital literacy must take its place alongside reading, writing and numeracy as a really valuable component of general economic success," said one contributor.

The Guardian

"The public does a really good job in general, but when we came to the checkpoints there's all kinds of liquids in the trash," said Stan Jones, the environmental compliance manager at the airport.

The New York Times

"It does seem that this year is a really good mast year in general.

Independent

"We think this is a really important case," said Kevin B. Lindahl, general counsel for the Fire and Police Pension Association of Colorado, one of the plaintiffs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, follow up "a really general" statement with specific examples or details to provide context and avoid ambiguity. This enhances understanding and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "a really general" statement as a standalone conclusion. Without supporting evidence or specific examples, it can weaken your argument and leave the audience unconvinced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a really general" functions as an adjectival modifier, enhancing a noun by specifying its degree of generality. It indicates that something lacks specific details and is broad in scope. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a really general" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival modifier that describes something lacking in specific detail. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide usage across various sources. It serves to communicate the broad nature of a subject, often setting expectations for the level of detail provided. While versatile, it's best paired with specific examples to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig's analysis reveals its prevalence in news, wikis, and scientific contexts, making it a valuable tool for clear and informative communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a very broad

Replaces "really" with "very", emphasizing the extent of generality.

a quite vague

Substitutes "really general" with "quite vague", highlighting the lack of clarity.

a highly unspecific

Uses "highly unspecific" to convey a strong sense of lacking detail.

a largely non-detailed

Employs "largely non-detailed" to emphasize the absence of specific information.

a broadly generalized

Uses "broadly generalized" to focus on the wide-ranging nature of the statement.

an extremely sweeping

Replaces with "extremely sweeping", suggesting an overly broad and potentially inaccurate generalization.

a vastly simplified

Implies a reduction to basic elements, losing important nuances.

a fundamentally basic

Highlights the rudimentary and uncomplicated nature of something.

an essentially outline

Suggests a focus on the main points without delving into specifics.

a predominantly high-level

Indicates a concentration on overarching concepts rather than granular data.

FAQs

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

You can use "a really general" to describe information, ideas, or approaches that lack specific details. For instance, "The presentation provided a really general overview of the company's financials."

What are some alternatives to "a really general"?

You can use alternatives like "a very broad", "a quite vague", or "a highly unspecific" depending on the context.

Is it always bad to be "a really general"?

Not necessarily. Being "a really general" can be useful when introducing a topic or providing a high-level overview. However, it's important to provide more specific details later to avoid confusion or misinterpretation.

What's the difference between "a really general" and "a vague"?

While both terms suggest a lack of specificity, "a really general" implies a broader scope, while "vague" suggests a lack of clarity. Something that is "a really general" might still be understandable, while something that is vague is often confusing.