general thinks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "general thinks" is not correct in English as it lacks clarity and context.
It could be used if you are referring to a general's thoughts or opinions, but it needs to be part of a more complete sentence for proper usage. Example: "The general thinks that the strategy needs to be revised for better outcomes."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Phil Sisneros, a spokesman for New Mexico's attorney general, Gary King, said, "We haven't found a single argument they have that the attorney general thinks holds water".

The New York Times

"I realize that the postmaster general thinks that this will save money, but there are other ways that they can cost-cut," Ms. Emerson said of the potential consolidations and closures.

The New York Times

"The public in general thinks that sturgeons only come from the Caspian Sea and that what is produced in farms isn't good or is somehow fake," said Esperanza Monreal, who owns the Madrid franchise of Caviar House & Prunier, which sells caviar farmed in the Gironde region of France.

The New York Times

What if the minister that's going to the solicitor general thinks the attorney general's corrupt?" The former editor in chief of the Australian, Chris Mitchell, said Turnbull was running a shambolic government but, when asked whether that was a risk to Turnbull's leadership, he said he didn't think Abbott would make a comeback.

The Guardian

But the former general thinks that simply having aircraft and an army is not enough to accomplish the task at hand.

Vice

As described by Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor for President Clinton, while recalling a recent conversation he had with a Republican friend: the GOP, in general, thinks the President is "out of his mind".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"The attorney general thought we'd roll over, but I'm not closing," Mr. Hardman said.

The New York Times

Platonists in general think much more dualistically about their own bodies than about the material universe as a whole.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Later, it emerged that the general thought the destruction of even one IRA bullet would be "significant".

The Guardian

The SEC and the state attorney general thought the Chooch deal, and other fees paid to associates of the fund, amounted to bribes.

Independent

I know what I think about the NHS, warts and all, but I find it hard to find what patients in general think.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To express an individual's opinion, specify who is doing the thinking (e.g., "the general manager thinks") for proper sentence construction.

Common error

Do not use the phrase "general thinks" without specifying who holds that opinion. The phrase is incomplete and lacks clarity, potentially leading to misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general thinks" on its own, without further context, lacks a clear grammatical function. It could potentially begin a clause where 'general' is a noun adjunct, modifying an unmentioned noun (e.g., "general manager"), but Ludwig suggests that it needs more information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "general thinks" is grammatically incomplete and lacks clarity in standard English. Ludwig's analysis of various sources highlights the need for context to correctly interpret its meaning. While it appears in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, its frequency is uncommon. For clearer communication, alternatives such as "generally believes" or specifying the subject (e.g., "the general public thinks") are recommended. As the Ludwig AI also states, the phrase needs more information to be accurate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally believes

Replaces "thinks" with "believes", providing a more standard way to express an opinion or conviction.

generally considers

Substitutes "thinks" with "considers", suggesting a more thoughtful evaluation.

generally assumes

Replaces "thinks" with "assumes", implying a belief without concrete proof.

the general opinion is

Reformulates the phrase to focus on a collective belief or viewpoint.

the general perception is

Shifts the emphasis to a broad understanding or impression.

the general feeling is

Focuses on an overall sentiment or emotional response.

the prevailing view is

Highlights the most common or accepted viewpoint.

it is generally understood

Indicates a widely accepted understanding or knowledge.

people generally think

Adds a subject to clarify who holds the belief or opinion.

as a general rule, one thinks

Introduces a rule of thumb as to what one might believe or expect.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "general thinks"?

You can use alternatives like "generally believes", "generally considers", or "the general opinion is depending on the context.

How to use "the general thinks" in a sentence?

The phrase "general thinks" is grammatically incorrect. A correct sentence would specify who the 'general' is, for example: "The general manager thinks the project is on track."

Which is correct, "general thinks" or "generally thinks"?

"Generally thinks" is more grammatically sound, but it depends on the context. It is better to use phrases like "people generally think" or "it is generally believed" for clarity. "General thinks" on its own is ungrammatical.

What's the difference between "the general thinks" and "the general public thinks"?

"The general thinks" is incomplete and ungrammatical. "The general public thinks" is grammatically correct and refers to the beliefs of most people.