general

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean something that applies to many different people or things. For example, "The general consensus is that this would be a good idea."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But in general women should be free to decide what to wear for themselves".

The Guardian

The palace source added: "It is the tradition now that after the general election the Queen is at Windsor until such a time as someone is able to form a new government.

The Guardian

Disappointingly, although they commented favourably on some aspects, their general view was that the situation had not improved.

The Guardian

Using these figures and the results of the 2010 general election, the exercise modelled the effects of a uniform swing from the old boundaries to new.

The Guardian

"This case has raised attention around the world, with particular concern around Mr Hill's intellectual disability," said Annabelle Malins, the British consul general.

The Guardian

Anderson delivered his report to Downing Street on 6 May, the day before the general election, and it is expected to be published in the next few days.

The Guardian

Offering Scotland more power over tax rates, spending and welfare, the proposals would be ready for implementation in the first Westminster parliamentary session after the 2015 general election, the chancellor added.

The Guardian

This will have to be agreed between the treasury and the departments and can't just be "knocked together" in the run-up to a general election.

The Guardian

Yet, I remained, through the indignities, the outrages, and the general descent into lousiness.

The Economist

Margaret Chan is director general of the World Health Organization.

The New York Times

Pictures can be doctored, but in general you can tell when one is real if you are there, from who posted it, how quickly it tallies with verbal reports, and so on.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "general" to describe a statement or principle, ensure the context provides enough information to avoid vagueness. A "general" statement should still be understandable and relevant to the topic at hand.

Common error

Avoid making sweeping statements using "general" without sufficient evidence or qualification. Overgeneralizations can lead to inaccuracies and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The word "general" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a broad, non-specific, or common quality. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically sound and provides numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "general" functions primarily as an adjective, indicating a broad, non-specific, or common attribute. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It’s frequently employed across various domains, including News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. While versatile, writers should avoid overgeneralizations by ensuring claims are supported by sufficient evidence. Alternatives like "overall", "widespread", and "common" can provide nuanced expression, depending on the context. By understanding its function, purpose, and potential pitfalls, one can effectively use "general" to enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overall

Focuses on the totality or comprehensive aspect, omitting specific details.

in broad terms

Emphasizes a lack of specificity and a focus on the main points.

across the board

Highlights the inclusiveness and universality of the concept to everyone and everything.

widespread

Emphasizes the extent of prevalence or commonality.

common

Indicates the typicality and frequent occurrence of something.

prevalent

Highlights the current existence and acceptance of something.

typical

Focuses on something that conforms to a common type or pattern.

universal

Highlights applicability to all cases or members of a group.

comprehensive

Emphasizes completeness and thoroughness in scope.

sweeping

Indicates a broad and extensive effect or application.

FAQs

How can I use "general" in a sentence?

You can use "general" to describe something that is common, widespread, or not specific. For example, "The "general consensus" is that the project was successful."

What are some alternatives to the word "general"?

Alternatives to "general" include "overall", "widespread", or "common", depending on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

What's the difference between "general" and "specific"?

"General" refers to something broad or not detailed, while "specific" refers to something precise and detailed. For example, "I have a "general idea" of what I want, but I need more specific details."

Is it correct to say "in general" or "generally"?

Both "in general" and "generally" are correct, but they are used in slightly different ways. "In general" is a prepositional phrase used to introduce a broad statement, while "generally" is an adverb used to modify a verb or adjective. For example, "In general, people enjoy sunny weather," versus "The weather is generally sunny."