a universal statement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a universal statement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a claim or assertion that is intended to apply to all cases or instances without exception. Example: "In philosophy, a universal statement is often used to express a principle that is believed to hold true in all situations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Also, it turns out that for any such setting, a universal statement in an infinite universe always receives zero confirmation, no matter what the (finite) evidence.

SEP

"As far as I am concerned, I am trying to make a universal statement".

The Guardian - Books

The omission of the word changed the meaning of the phrase entirely, taking it beyond a statement from one individual and turning it into a universal statement.

The Guardian

That she had couched this confession in a universal statement, thus disclosing absolutely nothing about herself, only added to her mystique.

The New Yorker

Universal pre-K makes a universal statement: that public schools should be valued in common, and committed to by all members of a community.

The New Yorker

Though this has its general application, and its Shakespearean resonances, it nonetheless feels less of a universal statement, more of a self-diagnosis.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

I think I am trying to make a more universal statement.

Vice

Beneath the homilies and heartfelt sentiments, Christensen et. al are making a large universal statement about the power and validity of management theory, and about the application of management research and insights to ethics and life.

Huffington Post

Darwin recognized that naturalists, despite their confidence, could not make any universal statements that enabled others to determine what a species was, or to differentiate it from a subspecies, a genus, a race, or a variety.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Does the invalidity of all universal statements invalidate itself?

The New York Times - Books

Time has turned a particular acting convention — a stylistic choice produced by Keaton's temperament and music-hall experience — into a universal philosophical statement.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure the context supports such a broad claim, as universal statements are often difficult to prove definitively. Consider whether qualifiers or limitations might be necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "a universal statement" when the evidence only supports a specific case or a limited scope. Overgeneralizing can weaken your argument and make your claims easily refutable.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a universal statement" is as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig provides examples where it functions to describe broad principles or claims, such as in philosophy or mathematics.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a universal statement" functions as a noun phrase used to assert a principle or concept with broad applicability. As stated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered grammatically correct. It's commonly found in formal contexts like news, science, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, be sure to avoid overgeneralization and always support your claims with sufficient evidence. Alternatives like "a global statement" or "a generalized statement" can offer similar meanings depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The phrase signals formality and precision, making it suitable for academic and professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a global statement

Replaces 'universal' with 'global', focusing on worldwide scope rather than inherent generality.

a worldwide statement

Replaces 'universal' with 'worldwide', focusing on global reach and impact.

a generalized statement

Replaces 'universal' with 'generalized', emphasizing the broad application of the statement.

a general statement

Replaces 'universal' with 'general', indicating a broad and non-specific assertion.

a comprehensive statement

Replaces 'universal' with 'comprehensive', highlighting the statement's thoroughness and inclusivity.

a widely accepted statement

Uses a more descriptive phrase to indicate the statement's broad acceptance.

a common statement

Replaces 'universal' with 'common', suggesting widespread acceptance or prevalence.

a broad declaration

Emphasizes the wide scope and declarative nature of the statement.

a shared statement

Replaces 'universal' with 'shared', highlighting common agreement on statement.

a sweeping generalization

Conveys the idea of a broad statement that might lack specific detail.

FAQs

How can I use "a universal statement" in a sentence?

You can use "a universal statement" to introduce a concept or principle that's believed to be true in all situations. For example: "In mathematics, this theorem is regarded as "a universal statement" about the properties of numbers."

What's the difference between "a universal statement" and "a general statement"?

"A universal statement" implies a claim that holds true in every possible case, whereas "a general statement" suggests a claim that's usually true but might have exceptions. The key difference is the presence or absence of exceptions.

When is it appropriate to use "a universal statement"?

Use "a universal statement" only when you have strong evidence and reasoning to support a claim that applies without exception. Be cautious, as proving universality is often challenging.

What can I say instead of "a universal statement" to express a similar idea?

You can use alternatives such as "a global statement", "a generalized statement", or "a comprehensive statement" depending on the nuance you want to convey.