an overall

USAGE SUMMARY

"an overall" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an overall effect, result, or feeling. For example, "The results of the survey showed an overall positive sentiment towards the new product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's not an overall estimate".

The New York Times

But gradually an overall impression becomes dominant.

The New York Times - Arts

It was an overall process".

The Guardian

It's an overall super experience.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And then they won an overall majority.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such an overall programme would be popular.

The Guardian

"But it's not an overall trend.

The New York Times

But does HuffPo make an overall profit?

The Guardian

"But it may have an overall sensibility".

The New York Times - Arts

That's part of an overall overhaul.

The New York Times

"It means you have an overall game".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an overall", ensure it's followed by a noun that clearly defines what you're summarizing or assessing. For example, "an overall improvement" or "an overall strategy".

Common error

Avoid using "overall" directly before a verb. Instead of saying "The project overall succeeded", use "The project was an overall success" or "Overall, the project succeeded".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overall" functions primarily as an adjective modifying a noun. It serves to describe something as comprehensive, general, or taking everything into account. Ludwig shows its usage in various contexts like "an overall profit", "an overall feeling", and "an overall experience".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an overall" is a grammatically correct and very common adjective phrase used to describe something in a general or comprehensive way. Ludwig's examples illustrate its versatility across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. It is considered to have a neutral register, suitable for a broad audience. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is typically used to refer to an overall effect, result, or feeling. When using "an overall", ensure it modifies a noun and conveys the intended sense of totality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a general

This alternative suggests a less detailed or specific view compared to "an overall".

a comprehensive

This alternative emphasizes thoroughness and completeness, implying a more detailed assessment than "an overall".

a broad

This alternative indicates a wide scope, focusing on the extent of coverage rather than the summary aspect of "an overall".

a total

This alternative is focused on numerical aggregation, while "an overall" may refer to something abstract

a holistic

This alternative implies considering all parts as interconnected, which is a philosophical point of view

a complete

This alternative suggests something entire and concluded, while "an overall" is a general evaluation

a global

This alternative indicates relevance on a global scale

a widespread

This alternative indicates something that is not limited to a specific zone

a universal

This alternative indicates something that is valid in any condition

a sweeping

This alternative suggests an effect with large consequences

FAQs

How can I use "an overall" in a sentence?

Use "an overall" to describe a general impression, result, or summary. For example, "The company reported "an overall profit"" or "The team showed "an overall improvement" this quarter.

What's a good substitute for "an overall"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a general", "a comprehensive", or "a broad".

Is it better to say "overall" or "an overall"?

"Overall" can function as an adverb or part of a prepositional phrase, while "an overall" is used as an adjective before a noun. For example, "Overall, the performance was good" versus "The performance showed "an overall improvement"".

What is the difference between "an overall" and "a general"?

"An overall" suggests a summary or assessment, while "a general" indicates a lack of specificity or detail. "An overall view" implies a considered judgment, whereas "a general idea" implies a basic understanding.