general tone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "general tone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the overall attitude, mood, or style of a piece of writing or speech. Example: "The general tone of the article was optimistic, encouraging readers to embrace change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The general tone of his foreign policy remarks was not generally belligerent, except when it came to Washington.

BBC

The general tone is cautious optimism.

The New York Times

What has the general tone been like?

The New York Times

But the general tone was relaxed.

The Economist

But the general tone was stern and businesslike.

The New Yorker

Nonetheless, the general tone of the report is forward-looking.

The New York Times

"The general tone of it all was: 'Great news, aren't we lucky,' but that's not normal.

The Guardian - Sport

Sometimes those boundaries are crossed, but a general tone has been set.

The New Yorker

"Don't you worry about a thing, dear," is the general tone.

The Guardian - Opinion

John Medeski advised on dynamics and Mr. Reid guided the general tone.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In [8], a general tone-mapping, represented by the logarithm function, is considered and applied to the luminance of the given HDR image, thus obtaining the LogLuv domain.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing a text or speech, consider the "general tone" early on to grasp the speaker's or writer's attitude and intended impact on the audience.

Common error

Avoid describing the topic itself when discussing the "general tone". Focus instead on the attitude conveyed (e.g. optimistic, critical, sarcastic), not the subject matter (e.g. politics, economy, art).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general tone" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies the overall mood, attitude, or character of something, whether it's a piece of writing, a conversation, or an event. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is deemed grammatically correct, meaning that it is accepted to be used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

17%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "general tone" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrase that serves to describe the overall mood, attitude, or character of something. Ludwig AI analysis reveals its frequent appearance in News & Media, Science and Wiki contexts, signifying its relevance in objective analysis and reporting. Understanding the "general tone" is crucial in interpreting messages effectively, and careful attention should be paid to avoid confusing it with the subject matter itself. Alternatives such as "overall tenor" or "prevailing sentiment" can add nuance to your writing, while best practices suggest using the phrase early in analysis to effectively guide interpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overall tenor

Focuses on the prevailing character or spirit, similar to "general tone" but emphasizes a sustained quality.

prevailing sentiment

Highlights the dominant feeling or opinion, shifting the emphasis to emotional context rather than overall style.

dominant mood

Emphasizes the emotional atmosphere, a facet of the "general tone" that relates to feelings.

common atmosphere

Refers to the pervasive feeling or ambience, stressing a shared or collective experience.

underlying feeling

Points to the implicit or subtle emotion, placing less emphasis on the explicit or expressed elements of the tone.

overall impression

Focuses on the lasting effect or perception created, which may include elements beyond just the tone.

basic character

Highlights the fundamental qualities or attributes, a broader concept than tone but related in terms of defining essence.

general feeling

Stresses emotional aspect instead of more general characteristics like the style of the text.

overall sense

Emphasizes the comprehensive perception or understanding, encompassing more than just the tone.

prevailing attitude

Focuses on the dominant mindset or viewpoint, less about the style of the message and more about the underlying perspective.

FAQs

How can I identify the "general tone" of a written piece?

Look for patterns in the author's word choice, sentence structure, and use of figurative language. Consider the overall emotional feeling conveyed and the author's apparent attitude towards the subject.

What's the difference between "overall tone" and "specific tone"?

"General tone" refers to the overarching feeling or attitude, while "specific tone" refers to smaller segments.

What can influence the "general tone" of a conversation?

Factors like the participants' relationship, the setting, and the subject matter can all shape the "general tone". Also, individual moods and perspectives play a huge part.

How does the "general tone" affect the way a message is received?

The "general tone" can significantly impact how a message is interpreted. A positive tone can encourage acceptance, while a negative tone might create resistance or skepticism.