general theme of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "general theme of" is correct and usable in written English.
Generally speaking, it refers to a broad idea or topic that is expressed throughout a piece of writing, such as a novel, essay, or speech. For example, you might say, "The general theme of this novel is the power of friendship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Indeed, the general theme of the photographs could be described as serious, but mundane.

Independent

According to the author of the article, what is the general theme of "Facing the Mask"?

The New York Times

Here, he outlines the general theme of his new book, Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin.

The Guardian - Opinion

In several tours of Europe, the general theme of civilization triumphing over savagery went over well.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The general theme of things is bullish," said Bill Strazzullo, a market strategist at State Street Global Markets.

The New York Times

If Taleb were on to a general theme of history, he wouldn't have to invent his examples.

The New York Times - Books

There's always one game at E3 that proves, counter to the general theme of the show, bigger isn't always better.

The Guardian - Tech

A reading of the passing offense rankings would show that the general theme of this trend holds true for all 32 slots.

The New York Times

And if you look through the eighteen covers that I've done for the magazine, there is a general theme of people being victimized by fashion.

The New Yorker

Humanistic themes and techniques were woven deeply into the development of Italian Renaissance art; conversely, the general theme of "art" was prominent in humanistic discourse.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I yakked on and on, like a toastmaster gone wild, on a general theme of the satisfaction offered by community involvement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing a complex work, start by identifying the "general theme of" the piece to provide a clear framework for your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "general theme of" when you simply mean the subject. The "general theme of" goes beyond the topic, conveying the underlying message or idea.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general theme of" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It identifies and introduces the primary idea or concept that permeates a text, discussion, or event. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

31%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "general theme of" is a versatile and frequently used expression to denote the main idea or subject in various contexts, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans across diverse fields such as news, science, and general discussions. While grammatically straightforward, it's important to distinguish between "general theme of" and merely the "topic", as the theme conveys a deeper, underlying message. When using this phrase, ensure that your subsequent discussion or analysis remains consistent with the established theme. Related phrases such as "main idea of" and "central topic of" can be used as alternatives depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

central idea of

Highlights the core concept or message being conveyed.

underlying message of

Focuses on the implicit or deeper meaning being conveyed.

primary focus of

Indicates the main point of attention or emphasis.

main topic of

Emphasizes the subject under discussion or exploration.

principal subject of

Similar to "main topic", but suggests a more formal or academic context.

overall subject of

Focuses on the primary topic rather than the underlying message.

prevailing idea of

Stresses the most widespread or dominant idea.

overarching concept of

Highlights a higher-level idea that encompasses smaller elements.

common thread of

Highlights the connecting element or similarity between different parts.

recurring motif of

Used to denote a repeated pattern or element within a work.

FAQs

How to use "general theme of" in a sentence?

You can use "general theme of" to introduce a main topic or idea, as in: "The "general theme of" the conference was sustainable development".

What's a good alternative to "general theme of"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "general theme of" with alternatives like "main idea of", "central topic of", or "overarching concept of".

Is it correct to say "the theme is general" instead of "general theme of"?

While grammatically correct, "the theme is general" doesn't convey the same meaning as ""general theme of"". The latter refers to the main, overarching theme, while the former simply describes the characteristic of a theme being broad.

How does "general theme of" differ from "specific theme of"?

"General theme of" indicates a broad, overarching concept, whereas "specific theme of" refers to a more narrow, particular aspect or subject within the larger context.