as a general theory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a general theory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing broad principles or concepts that apply in a wide range of situations or contexts. Example: "As a general theory, one could argue that increased exercise leads to better health outcomes for individuals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

This second version is clearly a secularised version of the Protestant history of the Reformation, and makes very little sense as a general theory.

The Guardian - Opinion

We often appeal to relativism as a general theory to soothe incipient disputes about the relative value of "serious" and "popular" genres.

The New York Times

In fact, even the most vehement supporters of relativism as a general theory make absolute judgments when they start talking about specific cases.

The New York Times

This opened the door for scholarly investigation of Union Preemption as a general theory of the effects of E. U. legislation in non-exclusive competence areas.

Columbia University

Contrary to most scientists, he insisted that the neo-Darwinist theory of micromutations was no longer tenable as a general theory of evolution.

Yale University

Using this distinction as a starting point, I discuss a wide range of dissimilarities between organisms and machines that collectively lay bare the inadequacy of the MCO as a general theory of living systems.

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part C: Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

At large spatial extents, human behavior is constrained by patterned ecological variability, as such, a general theory of behavior is likely to characterize key aspects of human decisions.

Journal of Anthropological Archaeology

This essay reclaims "Thoughts on Art" as Emerson's principal statement about art as part of a general theory of action and creation.

Johns Hopkins University

Early phenomenologists understood the investigation of mental experiences as part of a general theory of objects or ontology, and their contributions thereto share some common traits.

SEP

For Lévi-Strauss, positive marriage rules combined with the rules of reciprocity as the basis for a general theory of kinship that emphasized exchange as the central principle of kinship and indeed of "man's" break from nature.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Thus, statistical mechanics is viewed as a branch of a general theory of inference, and the latter as an extension of the ordinary logic of consistency.

Springer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a general theory", ensure that you follow it with a specific example or application to illustrate the theory's practical implications.

Common error

Avoid using "as a general theory" to describe concepts that only apply to specific cases or limited contexts; ensure the theory truly has broad applicability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a general theory" functions as an introductory phrase or prepositional phrase. It sets the stage for presenting a broad, overarching principle or concept that may be applicable across various contexts. Ludwig examples showcase its use in academic and scientific discourse.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as a general theory" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, typically employed to introduce a broad, overarching principle or concept. Though it is considered rare, its usage is appropriate across different types of texts, with a stronger emphasis on scientific and academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of the expression. When employing this phrase, ensure that the theory being introduced is indeed broadly applicable and not limited to specific instances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a general sense

Emphasizes a broad understanding or interpretation.

from a theoretical perspective

Emphasizes the viewpoint from which something is being considered.

on a theoretical level

Similar to "from a theoretical perspective", but focuses on the level of analysis.

in broad terms

Focuses on the breadth of the subject rather than its theoretical nature.

in principle

Highlights an idea's theoretical possibility, but not necessarily its practical application.

as a rule of thumb

Implies a practical guideline rather than a formal theory.

as a basic tenet

Highlights the fundamental nature of the concept.

as a universal principle

Suggests the concept applies everywhere and in all cases.

from a global standpoint

Emphasizes a worldwide or comprehensive view.

on the whole

Indicates a summary or overall consideration.

FAQs

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

You can use "as a general theory" to introduce a broad principle or concept. For example, "As a general theory, increased exercise leads to better health outcomes."

What is an alternative to "as a general theory"?

Alternatives include "in broad terms", "in principle", or "from a theoretical perspective", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

It's appropriate when discussing overarching concepts applicable across various situations, particularly in academic, scientific, or formal contexts.

Is "as a general theory" the same as "in theory"?

While related, "as a general theory" implies a developed framework, whereas "in theory" suggests a hypothetical or idealized scenario, possibly lacking practical validation.