general notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "general notion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a broad or overall idea or understanding of a concept. Example: "The general notion of democracy is that it allows citizens to participate in decision-making processes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Piccinini and Scarantino (2010) advance a highly general notion of computation which they dub generic computation with that consequence.

SEP

The rapid response contradicts the general notion of slow movement of water in the subsurface.

Journal of Hydrology

Even a general notion and feeling has not been developed in the minds of most designers.

Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation Proceedings of the International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation 2–4 April 2001, Cape Town, South Africa

We introduce the general notion of Privacy Preserving Threat Intelligence (PPTI) to address such concerns.

Journal of Information Security and Applications

The notion of teaching creativity was practically and theoretically connected to a general notion of "discursivity".

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

The general notion of a service often appears to be application centric.

SOA and Web Services Interface Design Principles, Techniques, and Standards

Few disagree with the general notion that able-bodied people ought to work.

The New York Times

What he could address, he said, was the general notion of a Canadian selling Christmas trees.

The New York Times

There is a general notion that the Fed has vast powers over the economy itself.

The New York Times - Magazine

The general notion was that they would probably be chipping fallen trees and clearing storm debris.

The New York Times

But they square with the general notion that higher turnout is helpful to Democrats, on balance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "general notion", ensure that the context clearly indicates the subject to which the general idea applies. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "general notion" to introduce a statement without providing specific supporting details. Ensure the "general notion" is grounded in evidence or common understanding to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general notion" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It refers to a widely held or common understanding of something, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "general notion" is a commonly used noun phrase to introduce a broadly accepted understanding or idea. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use across diverse contexts, especially in science and news. While versatile, writers should ensure that the "general notion" is adequately supported by specific details to avoid overgeneralization. For clearer or more impactful communication, alternatives like "common understanding" or "prevailing idea" might be suitable, depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

common understanding

Focuses on the shared aspect of the idea rather than its generality.

prevailing idea

Emphasizes the current acceptance or dominance of the idea.

accepted wisdom

Highlights the established or traditional nature of the idea.

conventional belief

Stresses the traditional or customary acceptance of the idea.

standard perception

Focuses on how something is typically viewed or understood.

overall sense

Conveys a feeling or impression that is broadly understood.

basic concept

Highlights the foundational or elementary nature of the idea.

widely held view

Emphasizes the broad acceptance and prevalence of the opinion.

popular belief

Highlights the idea's popularity and common acceptance.

typical assumption

Focuses on the idea being a common or standard assumption.

FAQs

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

You can use "general notion" to introduce a widely accepted idea or understanding, such as, "The general notion is that exercise is beneficial for health."

What phrases are similar to "general notion"?

Alternatives include phrases like "common understanding", "prevailing idea", or "accepted wisdom", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "general notion" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "general notion" is appropriate for formal writing, but consider using more precise language if a specific concept is intended. For example, in academic writing, define terms explicitly rather than relying solely on a "general notion".

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

"General notion" refers to a broad understanding, while "specific concept" refers to a clearly defined and detailed idea. Using a "general notion" can be a starting point, but it often needs to be supported by specific concepts to provide a complete understanding.