as a general proposition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a general proposition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when stating a broad or overarching principle that applies in most cases, but may have exceptions. Example: "As a general proposition, it is advisable to save a portion of your income for emergencies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

I don't know about that as a general proposition.

The New York Times

"As a general proposition, we think he ought to go," he said.

The New York Times

"As a general proposition, religious observance is an extremely important value," he said.

The New York Times

If he'd been told the same thing as a general proposition, he might well have agreed.

The New Yorker

However, "as a general proposition, companies need to have the freedom to relocate," he said.

The New York Times

"As a general proposition, as an attorney, I would never say to destroy a document," Brain said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

This fallacy is committed when a general proposition is used as the premise for an argument without attention to the (tacit) restrictions and qualifications that govern it and invalidate its application in the manner at issue.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That's a general proposition.

Independent

A singular proposition is to be contrasted with a general proposition, which is not about any particular individual, and a particularized proposition, which is about a particular individual but does not contain that individual as a constituent.

SEP

The demonstration thus proves, according to Berkeley, a general proposition about triangles.

SEP

As a general – very general – proposition, the economic predictions are reasonably upbeat, but the market ones rather more circumspect.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a general proposition" to introduce statements that are broadly true but may not apply in every situation. This helps to set appropriate expectations and avoid overgeneralization.

Common error

Avoid using "as a general proposition" when the statement is not widely applicable or has significant exceptions. Be sure the statement holds true in most situations before using this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a general proposition" functions as an introductory adverbial phrase. It modifies the main clause by indicating the statement is a broad principle rather than an absolute truth. This is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment and numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a general proposition" is a useful phrase for introducing a broad statement that is generally true but may have exceptions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. As evidenced by examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, it's frequently employed in News & Media. For more casual contexts, alternatives such as "generally speaking" or "in most cases" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in general terms

Focuses on high-level information rather than specific details.

generally speaking

Similar to the original phrase, but slightly more conversational.

as a rule

Implies a guideline or standard practice.

in most cases

Focuses on frequency rather than stating a rule.

for the most part

Acknowledges that something is true except in specific instances.

typically speaking

Emphasizes common occurrences and patterns.

by and large

Suggests that something is mostly true, despite some exceptions.

on the whole

Indicates a broad overview or summary.

as a common practice

Highlights the routine nature of an action or belief.

in the majority of instances

Highlights the prevalence of a particular outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "as a general proposition" to introduce a statement that's usually true but might have exceptions. For example, "As a general proposition, it's wise to save money." The phrase sets the stage for a widely applicable, but not absolute, truth.

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

You can use alternatives like "generally speaking", "in most cases", or "typically speaking" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "as a general proposition"?

It's appropriate when you want to express a statement that is largely true but might have exceptions. It's used to convey a principle or idea that is generally accepted or observed but not universally applicable.

Is "as a general proposition" formal or informal?

The phrase "as a general proposition" leans towards the formal side. For a more casual tone, consider using phrases like "generally speaking" or "for the most part".