general contentions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "general contentions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing broad arguments or claims made in a debate, discussion, or analysis. Example: "The report outlines the general contentions surrounding climate change and its impact on global policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This study supports the general contentions that the immunological status of the patient may be relevant to infection response and that continuous infusion may be especially helpful for improving the efficacy of β-lactams in immunocompromised patients [ 10].

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The general contention that the nation's most cherished sporting moments should be available for all is a convincing one.

The Guardian - Sport

They use this claim to bolster their general contention about spatial heterogeneity (although, of course, more relevant is whether there are negative shocks to youth labor markets contemporaneous with minimum wage increases).

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Rather than affirming any of the specific explanations of how God created all else, they affirm a more general contention compatible with each of these specific explanations: that God is in some manner directly responsible for the existence of all else.

SEP

From the earliest reviews of the Insane Clown Posse's singular brand of circus-themed swear-rap, the general contention has been that there is no way music could possibly sink below this point.

Vice

These findings support the general contention that pulmonary actinomycosis is mainly caused by aspiration of oral substances.

BMC Infectious Diseases

The general contention of the idea of staged consent is that the passing of time between these informational phases may allow for learning and improve understanding.

European Journal of Human Genetics

Whilst criticizing the general contention of very stressful working conditions in mental heath care, Richard et al [ 26] argued for multi-site studies of the working environment in mental health care.

BMC Health Services Research

After numerous run-ins with state attorneys general over contentions that people believed their chances of winning sweepstakes were better if they bought magazines or other merchandise from Publishers Clearing House, the company stipulated that it would change its business practices.

The New York Times

Justice DeGrasse conceded the state attorney general's contention, in defending the aid formula, that wealthier school districts generally get less aid than poor districts.

The New York Times

"Juries have recently been regularly disagreeing with the attorney general's contention that the death penalty is justified in the most egregious federal cases involving murder," he wrote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "general contentions", ensure that the context clearly defines what specific arguments or claims are being broadly addressed. Provide specific examples to support the validity of the "general contentions".

Common error

Avoid presenting "general contentions" without sufficient evidence or specific examples. Overgeneralizing can weaken your argument and make it seem unsupported.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general contentions" functions as a noun phrase, where "general" modifies the noun "contentions". According to Ludwig, it supports the assertion that it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "general contentions" is a grammatically correct phrase used to refer to broad arguments or claims. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. Although its frequency is relatively rare, the phrase appears in diverse contexts, including science, news, and formal settings. When using this phrase, ensure you provide specific examples to support your claims and avoid overgeneralizations. Alternatives like "broad assertions" or "overall arguments" can be used depending on the specific context. While generally accepted, be aware that unsubstantiated "general contentions" may weaken your argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broad assertions

Replaces "contentions" with "assertions", implying a confident and forceful statement, slightly stronger in tone.

overall arguments

Substitutes "general" with "overall" and "contentions" with "arguments", emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the claims.

main claims

Focuses on the primary assertions being made, simplifying the language.

key arguments

Similar to "main claims", but uses "arguments" instead, suggesting a more reasoned presentation.

common positions

Highlights shared stances or beliefs, rather than debated points.

prevailing views

Emphasizes the widespread acceptance of certain opinions or beliefs.

accepted wisdom

Suggests a widely held belief that is often taken for granted.

established beliefs

Highlights beliefs that have been held for a significant amount of time and are widely accepted.

widespread assumptions

Focuses on assumptions that are broadly accepted, even if they are not explicitly stated or proven.

general consensus

Indicates a broad agreement or harmony of opinion.

FAQs

How can I use "general contentions" in a sentence?

You can use "general contentions" to refer to broad claims or arguments in a discussion. For instance, "The report outlines the "general contentions" surrounding climate change and its impact on global policies."

What are some alternatives to "general contentions"?

Alternatives include "broad assertions", "overall arguments", or "main claims", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use specific arguments instead of "general contentions"?

Using specific arguments is often more effective, but "general contentions" can be useful for summarizing a broader debate or field of thought. Always back up general statements with specific evidence.

What's the difference between "general contentions" and "common assumptions"?

"General contentions" typically refer to claims that are being debated or discussed, while "common assumptions" are beliefs that are widely accepted without question.