be generalized to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be generalized to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something should or can be extended or applied more widely or generally. For example, "The technique presented in this article can be generalized to any programming language."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Therefore, results should not be generalized to the general population.

Archives of Sexual Behavior

Therefore, the results cannot be generalized to the general population.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Nor is it always so easy to decide when a study's findings should be generalized to far-reaching nutritional guidelines.

The New York Times - Science

On the one hand, we can't assume that the results from experiments on their brains can be generalized to humans.

The Guardian

The researchers proposed that the technique could be generalized to other types of biomolecules.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The technique can be generalized to other devices later.

TechCrunch

UFuRT can be generalized to other domains.

Journal of Biomedical Informatics

It cannot be generalized to other participants.

The Sciences of Aphasia From Therapy to Theory

Can the likeness program be generalized to arbitrarily complex frameworks?

SEP

Furthermore this approach can be generalized to more complex proteins.

Theoretical Computer Science

These results may be generalized to many nuclear ceramics.

Journal of Nuclear Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing research findings, clearly state the limitations of the study and avoid overgeneralizing results. Use "be generalized to" carefully, ensuring the data supports the broader application.

Common error

Avoid assuming that results from a specific sample can "be generalized to" an entire population without proper statistical validation or consideration of confounding variables.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be generalized to" functions as a passive construction indicating the potential for a concept, method, or finding to be applied more broadly. Ludwig shows numerous examples across diverse fields where this phrase is used to discuss the scope and limitations of applying specific results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be generalized to" is a grammatically correct phrase commonly used to discuss the extent to which findings, methods, or theories can be applied to broader contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase frequently appears in scientific and academic writing, emphasizing the need for caution when extending results beyond the original study parameters. When using this phrase, ensure that your claims are supported by evidence and acknowledge any limitations in the generalizability of your findings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be extended to

Focuses on expanding the scope of application, similar to generalization but often implying a more direct application.

be applied to

Emphasizes the practical application of something to a wider range of cases.

be extrapolated to

Implies inferring unknown values or extending trends beyond the known data points.

be transferred to

Suggests moving a concept or method from one context to another, highlighting the act of transference.

be adapted for

Focuses on modifying something to fit a new purpose or situation, emphasizing adaptation.

be broadened to

Highlights the widening of scope or perspective, similar to generalization but emphasizing the increase in breadth.

be universalized to

Suggests making something applicable to all cases or situations, implying a high degree of generality.

be made applicable to

Directly states the act of making something applicable, emphasizing the intent to apply it broadly.

be comprehensively applied to

Indicates a thorough and complete application across a wide range of instances, emphasizing comprehensiveness.

be inferable for

Suggests that a conclusion or result can be logically derived for other scenarios, focusing on inference.

FAQs

How can I use "be generalized to" in a sentence?

You can use "be generalized to" when you want to express that a finding, method, or theory can be applied more broadly. For example, "The results of this study cannot "be generalized to" the entire population".

What are some alternatives to using "be generalized to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "be extended to", "be applied to", or "be extrapolated to".

When is it inappropriate to use "be generalized to"?

It is inappropriate to use "be generalized to" if the sample size is too small, if there are significant confounding variables, or if the study population is not representative of the broader population to which you are trying to apply the results.

What factors affect whether research findings can "be generalized to" other groups?

Factors such as sample size, demographic diversity, methodological rigor, and the presence of confounding variables all affect whether research findings can "be generalized to" other groups.