general spirit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "general spirit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the overall attitude, essence, or character of something, often in a more abstract or philosophical context. Example: "The general spirit of the event was one of unity and collaboration among all participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

But the general spirit of the voyage is lighthearted.

The New York Times - Travel

Such open-mindedness is a subdivision of a general spirit of good will in the Decameron.

The New Yorker

Not Gershwin, necessarily, but something or someone in that general spirit.

The New York Times - Food

(I invented the last bit, but it does convey the general spirit of his remarks).

The Guardian

"I think it's important to have a general spirit of openness".

The Guardian

In the general spirit of competition, hospitals must remove the cap on the number of private patients they treat.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Each guest is given a biological age evaluation in which a team of experts looks at everything from health history, general spirits and stress levels to memory, skin, body composition and flexibility.

Forbes

Everything must be considered, from the social standing of the hostess, to her general spirits, to her ability to succor and coddle the guest once it has emerged from her uterine front door.

Huffington Post

The final product is a nice reinterpretation of the original dance performance, isolating a small portion of the 18-minute long piece but capturing the general feel and spirit.

Vice

It can be argued that the line now more clearly questions the general human spirit — not just the specific spirit of whoever shot J.F.K. Lately I've been getting together every Sunday to write with Peter Stampfel, who's 40 years older than me, and has been writing songs since the early 1960s when he was in the Holy Modal Rounders (and, briefly, the Fugs).

The New York Times

"If we feel it is not aligned with the general consensus, spirit and philosophy within the team, we might consider that when we take a decision in terms of the driver line-up," Wolff said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "general spirit" to convey a sense of unity or shared characteristics among different elements or individuals.

Common error

Avoid using "general spirit" when referring to very specific, isolated incidents or feelings. It's more appropriate for describing overarching themes, atmospheres, or attitudes that permeate a larger context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general spirit" functions as a noun phrase that describes the overall essence, mood, or prevailing attitude in a given context. It acts as a subject, object, or complement in sentences, conveying a sense of the prevailing atmosphere, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "general spirit" is a noun phrase commonly used to describe the overall mood, attitude, or essence of a situation, group, or event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and indicates its frequency across various contexts, including News & Media and Encyclopedias. While it maintains a neutral to formal register, it's crucial to ensure its usage aligns with overarching themes rather than isolated incidents. Alternatives like "overall sentiment" or "prevailing atmosphere" may be suitable depending on the intended nuance. Ultimately, "general spirit" serves as a valuable tool for conveying a broad understanding of a prevailing atmosphere or essence, adding depth and context to written and spoken communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overall sentiment

Focuses on the prevailing feeling or attitude, shifting from a broad characterization to a more emotional tone.

prevailing atmosphere

Highlights the environment or mood that is dominant, emphasizing the sensory experience.

common attitude

Emphasizes the shared perspective or viewpoint within a group or situation.

collective mindset

Focuses on the shared cognitive framework and beliefs of a group.

dominant feeling

Highlights the most prominent emotion present, shifting from a broader sense to a specific emotional state.

underlying ethos

Emphasizes the fundamental values and principles that guide behavior and decisions.

basic tendency

Focuses on the inclination or predisposition towards a particular behavior or outcome.

general inclination

Suggests a natural leaning or preference, implying a slight bias or tendency.

overarching theme

Emphasizes the main idea or subject that runs throughout something, particularly in creative works or discussions.

general trend

Highlights the prevailing direction or pattern observed over time, often in data or behavior.

FAQs

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

You can use "general spirit" to describe the overall feeling or attitude of a group, event, or period. For example, "The "general spirit" of the conference was one of collaboration and innovation".

What is an alternative to "general spirit"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "overall sentiment", "prevailing atmosphere", or "common attitude".

Is "general spirit" formal or informal?

"General spirit" is generally considered neutral in formality. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it may sound slightly more sophisticated than very casual alternatives.

How does "general spirit" differ from "specific intention"?

"General spirit" refers to the overarching feeling or attitude, while "specific intention" refers to a particular aim or goal. They are distinct concepts; one describes a broad atmosphere, and the other describes a focused purpose.