at a general level

USAGE SUMMARY

"at a general level" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something in broad terms. For example, "We can agree on the basics of the plan, but at a general level there are still some unresolved issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In BioMediTech Tampere, strategic awareness about emerging markets is fairly good at a general level but shared generic competences to exploit emerging opportunities are not well developed.

Triple Helix

But at a general level, I think we have 10%, 15% sexism in the workplace that is holding some women back.

The Guardian

At a general level, his research on these topics seeks to shed light on the factors that open and close attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to change.

Stanford University

However, most of these treatments target inflammation at a general level, and were not designed to block the inflammatory response specifically in the nerve cells affected by HD.

Stanford University

We have found that part terms proliferate in subjects' listings of attributes characterizing category members at the basic level, but are rarely listed at a general level.

Stanford University

At a general level, radar waveform diversity involves the joint consideration of the range, Doppler, spatial, polarization, and frequency domains to enhance radar capabilities and potentially enable various forms of multimode operation.

Academic Press Library in Signal Processing, Volume 7 Array, Radar and Communications Engineering

During fireside chats and other one-on-one interviews, guests tend to speak at a general level — to offer concepts and conclusions — without concrete examples and stories (including personal ones) that will help make their content more engaging, understandable, and relatable for their audience.

Harvard Business Review

This study aims to investigate whether the recall of autobiographical memories is disturbed in substance consumers, and in particular whether those patients tend to evoke memories at a general level rather than at a specific level when confronted by an emotional cue word.

L'Encéphale

However, it was also shown that even though there is a considerable support for policies promoting renewable energy at a general level, local communities often perceive the installation of systems powered by renewable sources such as limiting the quality of life, or impacting on the natural and built landscape.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

However, some unity appears, at least at a very general level.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

At a very general level, a deficit arises whenever damage goes unremoved or unrepaired [ 46].

Alzheimer's Research and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at a general level" when you want to provide an overview or summary without getting into specific details. This phrase is especially useful when introducing a topic or concept to a broad audience.

Common error

Don't use "at a general level" as an excuse to avoid providing necessary specifics. Ensure that you follow up with more detailed explanations or examples to support your general statements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a general level" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the scope or perspective of a statement. It specifies that the information being presented is a broad overview, rather than a detailed analysis, as confirmed by Ludwig's AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

24%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at a general level" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate a broad, non-specific perspective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in science, news, and academia. When writing, use "at a general level" to provide overviews or summaries, but avoid overgeneralization by following up with specific details when needed. Alternatives like "in broad terms" or "generally speaking" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally speaking

Indicates a statement is true in most cases, but not necessarily all.

on the whole

Highlights the overall consideration, without specific details.

in broad terms

Focuses on the breadth of the description, implying a lack of detail.

for the most part

Suggests the statement is mainly true, with some exceptions.

by and large

Suggests a broad overview without getting into specifics.

on a larger scale

Emphasizes the scope or extent of the viewpoint.

as a rule

Describes something that usually happens or is usually true.

in a simplified manner

Highlights the lack of complexity in the explanation.

in most respects

Implies considering something from multiple perspectives but providing a broad overview.

in a nutshell

Conveys something very briefly and without detail.

FAQs

How can I use "at a general level" in a sentence?

You can use "at a general level" to introduce a broad overview of a topic before delving into specifics. For example, "At a general level, the report indicates improvements in overall customer satisfaction."

What are some alternatives to "at a general level"?

You can use alternatives like "in broad terms", "generally speaking", or "on the whole" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "at a general level" in formal writing?

Yes, "at a general level" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to provide a broad overview or summary. Just be sure to support your general statements with specific details later on.

How does "at a general level" differ from "in detail"?

"At a general level" indicates a broad overview, while "in detail" suggests a thorough and specific examination. They are essentially opposites in terms of scope and focus.