general time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "general time" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a broad or unspecified time frame. For example, "In general time, people tend to follow routines." Alternative expressions include "broad time," "overall time," and "general timeframe."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Therapists say that in general, time is the only real healer of maps.

The New York Times

The White House said he was now in talks with Maliki about a "general time horizon".

The Guardian

General Time, which is based in Norcross, Ga., had sales of $109 million in its last fiscal year.

The New York Times

The United States and Iraq have suddenly agreed to a "general time horizon" for future troop reductions.

The New York Times

Stratigraphy, scientific discipline concerned with the description of rock successions and their interpretation in terms of a general time scale.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Earlier, Mr Maliki and George Bush agreed to a less specific "general time horizon" for American forces to leave.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The structures are commonly excited by cyclic or general time-dependent loading.

Finite Elements in Analysis and Design

The problems of synchronization and pinning control for general time-delay complex dynamical networks are investigated.

Applied Mathematics and Computation

The damping is characterized by viscoelastic dissipation energy of the structures under general time-dependent loading.

Finite Elements in Analysis and Design

We design fixed-order strong H-infinity controllers for general time-delay systems.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Second, an H∞ design approach for general time-delay systems is presented.

Computer Networks

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "general time", consider if a more specific time reference would provide greater clarity. For example, instead of "in general time", specify "during the afternoon" or "around 3 PM" if possible.

Common error

Avoid using "general time" as a crutch when more precise information is available. Over-reliance on vague temporal references can make your writing ambiguous and less informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general time" functions as a noun phrase, where "general" modifies the noun "time". According to Ludwig, it's used to indicate a broad or unspecified period.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "general time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a non-specific period. Ludwig's analysis indicates its usage spans various domains, including science, news, and general contexts, but leaning more towards a neutral or formal tone. While versatile, it's beneficial to consider if a more specific timeframe would enhance clarity in writing. Related phrases such as "approximate time" or "broad timeframe" may offer alternative ways to express similar concepts. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is valid and widely used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximate time

Emphasizes that the time is not exact but close to a specific point.

typical time

Highlights the usual or expected time for something to occur.

rough estimate of time

Focuses on a quick and imprecise calculation of the duration.

broad timeframe

Indicates a wide range or period within which something happens.

overall period

Highlights the total duration or extent of a time span.

average duration

Refers to the mean or typical length of time.

usual schedule

Focuses on the customary or regular timetable followed.

typical timing

Highlights the common or expected point in time for an event.

common era

Relates to a widely accepted historical epoch.

standard epoch

Indicates a recognized and defined point in time.

FAQs

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

You can use "general time" to refer to a broad or unspecified period. For example, "Late spring is the "general time" hummingbirds start migrating".

What's a good substitute for "general time"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "approximate time", "typical time", or "broad timeframe" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use "general time" or a more specific timeframe?

While "general time" is acceptable, using a more specific timeframe often improves clarity and provides more useful information to the reader. Consider if specifying "the afternoon" or "the 1990s" would be more effective.

What does "general time reversible model" mean in scientific research?

In phylogenetics, the "general time" reversible model (GTR) is a nucleotide substitution model used in phylogenetic analysis to estimate evolutionary relationships. It's a complex model that accounts for different rates of substitution between nucleotides.