general pattern is that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "general pattern is that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a common trend or observation in a particular context or subject matter. Example: "The general pattern is that students who study regularly tend to perform better on exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"The general pattern is that industry is building enormously heavily on basic research supported by N.I.H.," said Dr. Francis Narin, president of C.H.I.

The New York Times

"The general pattern is that the U.S. economy is slowing".

The New York Times

The general pattern is that a new revelation of underhand or immoral tactics (such as the stealing of dead children's identities or spying on the family of Stephen Lawrence ) is exposed and the police respond with an inquiry.

The Guardian

The fact is that where women feel well supported, where they are cared for, and where they are psychologically healthy, the general pattern is that they go out of their way to ensure every protection possible for their unborn babies.

The Guardian - Opinion

A general pattern is that downslope flow in the better jointed "decompressed zone", which parallels the topography, may divert recharge from a higher to lower altitude before it follows the structural pathways into the tunnel.

Applied Geochemistry

The general pattern is that social programs offend Republicans to the degree that they benefit the poor, sick, or otherwise unfortunate.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The general pattern was that, if they were not winning by the hour they usually did not win at all as Mancini struggled to influence games.

Independent

Degree of hearing loss was related to several questions regarding driver abilities and the general pattern was that individuals with higher degree of hearing loss rated driver abilities less affected by hearing loss.

European Transport Research Review

When the HMMs were tested against LTRs from retroviral genera which they were not trained for, the general pattern was that the TG, second and third A-rich, the T-rich and CA modules most frequently contained match states with conserved nucleotides (data not shown).

Plosone

The general pattern was that individual staff appreciated working with people similar to themselves, and some met each other in their spare time.

BMC Health Services Research

However, the general pattern was that the four main haplogroups were relatively equally represented in the eastern part of the world, whereas west of the Himalayas and the Urals haplogroups HG1 and HG23 were represented by 89% of the individuals, and HG6 and HG3 rare or absent.

Heredity

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "general pattern is that", ensure the statement is supported by evidence or observation. Avoid overgeneralization by acknowledging exceptions or limitations if they exist.

Common error

Avoid presenting a trend as universally true when exceptions exist. Qualify the statement with phrases like "often", "typically", or "in most cases" to indicate the "general pattern" might not always hold true.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general pattern is that" serves as an introductory phrase to highlight a prevalent trend or observation. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, showing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "general pattern is that" is a grammatically sound and acceptable phrase used to introduce a prevalent trend or observation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used in both scientific and journalistic contexts to highlight recurring themes or tendencies. While its frequency is classified as 'Uncommon', it appears across reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure the stated pattern is backed by evidence and to avoid overgeneralization by acknowledging any exceptions. Related phrases include "typical trend is that" and "common observation is that", offering alternative ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the typical trend is that

Replaces "general pattern" with "typical trend", focusing on common occurrences.

the common observation is that

Substitutes "general pattern" with "common observation", highlighting frequently noticed facts.

a recurring theme is that

Uses "recurring theme" instead of "general pattern", suggesting a repeated idea or element.

the prevailing tendency is that

Replaces "general pattern" with "prevailing tendency", indicating a dominant inclination.

it is generally observed that

Shifts to a passive construction, emphasizing observation rather than a pattern.

the usual course of events is that

Focuses on the sequence of happenings, implying a standard order.

the standard procedure is that

Replaces 'pattern' with 'procedure', suggesting an established way of doing something.

a frequent occurrence is that

Highlights the frequency of an event, rather than an overarching pattern.

typically, we see that

Introduces a personal perspective, framing the statement as a common finding.

on average, it is that

Emphasizes statistical regularity, focusing on central tendencies.

FAQs

How can I use "general pattern is that" in a sentence?

Use "general pattern is that" to introduce a common trend or observation. For example, "The "general pattern is that" students who study regularly tend to perform better on exams".

What's a good substitute for "general pattern is that"?

You can use alternatives like "typical trend is that", "common observation is that", or "recurring theme is that" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "general pattern is that" in formal writing?

Yes, "general pattern is that" is acceptable in formal writing. However, ensure it aligns with the tone and register of the specific context. Stronger alternatives for formal contexts can include phrases like "prevailing tendency is that".

What's the difference between "general pattern is that" and "general rule is that"?

"General pattern is that" describes an observed trend, while "general rule is that" implies a prescribed guideline or principle. A ""general pattern is that"" reflects what commonly happens, whereas a general rule dictates what should happen.