as a general argument

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a general argument" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a broad or overarching point that applies to a wider context or situation. Example: "As a general argument, one could say that education plays a crucial role in personal development and societal progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The problem can be regarded as a general argument against compatibilism, since no matter what kind of self-knowledge Peter has, the externalist is strained to keep separate the logical from the factual errors in his reasoning.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Her slim volume lacks a general argument.

The Washington Post

Instead, a general argument should be found to prove or disprove Conjecture 3.3 for general n.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

For both stimuli, we use this important role of NAD(P H within the antioxidant system as a more general argument: With increasing ROS more reducing equivalents for antioxidants are needed, and indeed supplied by the NADH pool.

BMC Systems Biology

While offered as a general normative argument for minority cultural groups, liberal multiculturalists distinguish among different types of groups.

SEP

Brentano also offered a quite general argument for reism based on the idea of intentionality as direction of thinking (and other mental acts).

SEP

It is making a more general argument.

British Medical Journal

Clinton did make one reference to trade in her speech, but more as a general point in her argument that America ought to work better for the middle class.

Huffington Post

Already, he said, foes of trade liberalization and other free-market policies in Europe are citing Washington's agreement to dramatically intervene in the American economy as a precedent for advancing their more general argument — that American-style economics is at a dead end.

The New York Times

As with the arguments for fictionalism, the focus will be on arguments that are relevant to fictionalism as a general metaphysical strategy, rather than arguments that only are relevant to fictionalism about a given subject matter.[3] Many of the arguments are directed primarily against fictionalism of the hermeneutic variety.

SEP

'Isn't that Don Quixote himself', he wonders, 'after a three-hundred-year journey, returning to the village disguised as a land-surveyor?' Some of this general argument about the novel comes in the first essay which takes Cervantes as its point of departure.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a general argument", ensure that the subsequent statement truly represents a broad or overarching point, and not a specific detail. This helps maintain clarity and avoids misrepresentation of the scope of your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "as a general argument" to introduce statements that are only applicable in specific cases or contexts. This can mislead your audience into thinking the argument has broader implications than it actually does.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a general argument" functions as an adverbial phrase introducing a broad or overarching claim. It sets the stage for a more extensive discussion or justification, signaling that the following statement is intended to be understood in a wide context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

32%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a general argument" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a broad or overarching claim, supported by Ludwig AI. While not exceedingly common, it appears in various contexts, including scientific, news, and academic writing, with a neutral to formal tone. When employing this phrase, ensure that the subsequent statement is indeed general and not overly specific, preventing potential misinterpretations. Related phrases, such as "as a broad assertion" or "in a general sense", may offer suitable alternatives depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a general sense

This phrase is very similar but replaces 'argument' with 'sense', focusing on overall understanding.

as a broad assertion

Replaces 'general argument' with 'broad assertion', emphasizing the sweeping nature of the statement.

as a basic premise

Replaces 'general argument' with 'basic premise', suggesting a foundational assumption.

as an overall point

Substitutes 'argument' with 'point', emphasizing the main idea being conveyed.

as a typical contention

Substitutes 'general' with 'typical' and 'argument' with 'contention', suggesting a commonly held viewpoint.

as a fundamental claim

Replaces 'general argument' with 'fundamental claim', highlighting the core assertion being made.

as a common reasoning

Replaces 'general argument' with 'common reasoning', highlighting the logical basis of the widespread thought.

in broad strokes

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the concept of a general or simplified overview.

on a larger scale

Shifts the focus to a broader perspective, similar to making a general argument.

as a whole

This short phrase indicates consideration of something in its entirety, akin to a general argument's scope.

FAQs

How can I use "as a general argument" in a sentence?

You can use "as a general argument" to introduce a broad or overarching point that applies to a wider context or situation. For example, "As a general argument, one could say that education plays a crucial role in personal development and societal progress."

What can I say instead of "as a general argument"?

You can use alternatives like "as a broad assertion", "in a general sense", or "as an overall point" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "as a general argument" or "generally speaking"?

The choice between "as a general argument" and "generally speaking" depends on the specific context. "As a general argument" is more appropriate when introducing a specific claim or line of reasoning, while "generally speaking" is suitable for making broader observations or generalizations.

What's the difference between "as a general argument" and "as a basic premise"?

"As a general argument" introduces a broader line of reasoning, whereas "as a basic premise" suggests a foundational assumption upon which further arguments are built. The former presents a more complete idea, while the latter sets the stage for one.