as a general observation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a general observation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when making a broad statement or comment that applies to a wide range of situations or subjects. Example: "As a general observation, people tend to prefer familiar routines over new experiences."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

As a general observation, the new additions to the gastronomic Milky Way suggest a certain blinkered conservatism.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"One criticism I'd make as a general observation is the place is run a little bit like a mom-and-pop store," Mr. Levy said recently in an address at New York University's School of Education.

The New York Times

"As a general observation, people leak stuff to be big shots," said Mr. Ross, who entertained guests like the financier Carl C. Icahn at a Southampton cocktail party Saturday evening.

The New York Times

TechCrunch has no further comment, other than to say, that — as a general observation — being stupid and wrong is really no way to go through life.

TechCrunch

As a general observation from Figures 3, 4, and 5, it can be shown that the ARP scheme behavior always reaches the optimal scheme for different SNR values.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

As a general observation, the small particle size creates high solid fluxes in the calcium looping process that should be taken into account in the design of the system.

Fuel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Sometimes it will be a general observation such as 'that's a bad area of town' or 'they are doing construction and very noisy' but I've also heard disparaging comments about other hotel owners or their family.

Huffington Post

By contrast, a general observation - such as, for example, traction control is illegal - allows the FIA to decide what traction control is should the issue arise.

BBC

The more I photographed, the more I realized that my work became more of a general observation on the world, and growing up as a kid.

Vice

As a first, general, observation, it is seen that the per-node throughputs are much lower in indoor scenarios than the corresponding ones, as shown in Figure 11, in outdoor scenarios.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

As a broad, general observation based on Table 7, it would appear that the dominant picture is that there is not any bidirectional relationship between military spending and the countries' growth rates.

Latin American Economic Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a general observation" to introduce a statement that summarizes a trend or pattern you've noticed across multiple instances. This helps to set the context for your subsequent explanation or analysis.

Common error

While acceptable, "as a general observation" can sometimes sound redundant in highly formal contexts. Consider using more concise alternatives like "generally" or "typically" to maintain a streamlined tone. The excessive use of this phrase may weaken the impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a general observation" functions as a discourse marker or sentence adverbial. It introduces a statement that summarizes a trend, pattern, or viewpoint derived from multiple instances or experiences. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a general observation" is a versatile tool for introducing generalizations and setting the stage for further analysis. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. With a neutral to formal tone, it's appropriate across various contexts from scientific papers to news articles. When writing, remember that while useful, overusing it can dilute your message. Opt for concise alternatives like "generally speaking" or "typically" where appropriate. By understanding its function and context, you can use "as a general observation" effectively to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally speaking

Mirrors the function of "as a general observation" almost exactly, providing a nearly interchangeable alternative.

broadly speaking

This phrase replaces "as a general observation" with a more concise and direct expression of introducing a generalization.

as a general point

Similar to stating a general idea or thought.

in general terms

Focuses on describing something without specific details, similar to providing a general overview.

on the whole

Indicates a comprehensive view based on most aspects, replacing the observational aspect with a holistic assessment.

for the most part

Highlights that the statement is generally true, although there may be exceptions, maintaining the essence of a general assessment.

as a rule

Presents the observation as a typical occurrence or standard practice, simplifying the original phrase.

in most cases

Similar to "for the most part", but emphasizes the frequency of the observation rather than its comprehensiveness.

by and large

Offers a slightly more informal way to express a general statement, maintaining the sense of a broad perspective.

typically

Focuses on what commonly occurs or is characteristic, replacing the introductory phrase with an adverb.

FAQs

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

You can use "as a general observation" to introduce a broad statement or summary. For example, "As a general observation, students who attend class regularly tend to perform better on exams."

What phrases are similar to "as a general observation"?

Similar phrases include "generally speaking", "in general terms", and "broadly speaking". These phrases can be used to introduce a generalization or summary.

Is it appropriate to use "as a general observation" in academic writing?

Yes, "as a general observation" is appropriate for academic writing, especially when introducing a trend or pattern. However, consider the tone of your piece and whether a more concise alternative might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "as a general observation" and "as a rule"?

"As a general observation" introduces something noticed across multiple instances, while "as a rule" implies a standard practice or typical occurrence. The former is more descriptive, and the latter is more prescriptive.