generalize on the basis of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generalize on the basis of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of drawing broad conclusions from specific examples or data. Example: "Researchers often generalize on the basis of their findings to make predictions about larger populations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Because individuals' incomes tend to jump about quite a bit from year to year, it can be dangerous to generalize on the basis of one-year snapshots.

The New Yorker

Children from the age of 7 months onward will generalize on the basis of rules in a task similar to the one employed by Murphy and colleagues (Marcus 1999).

Animal Cognition

While it's difficult to generalize on the basis of a few, short exchanges, the consistent tone of my encounters with these and other Pakistani-Dutch people left me with the strong feeling that the diaspora is increasingly disillusioned with its cultural heritage, and is looking to distance itself from Pakistan.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We present the results of theoretical researches of the developed hyperspherical function for the appropriate functional matrix, generalized on the basis of two degrees of freedom, and, and the radius.

Advances in Difference Equations

It is important that Mill, in accepting such prejudices, does not follow his own rules for generalizing on the basis of good inductive evidence, but even more important that, in accepting such prejudices as reasonable, he is contributing to the pervasive customs that enforce conformity and obscure the fact that they place limits on what women might freely choose.

SEP

Generalizing on the basis of these five states is tricky for many reasons, not least because two are in the East and Berlin is a unique political microcosm.

Huffington Post

The majority of participants (16 of 25) generalized on the basis of the underlying rule.

Animal Cognition

This may be generalized on the basis of data on the LTR retrotransposons 412 and tirant, which have also internal deletions [ 28, 29].

BMC Genomics

The studies had limitations including difficulties in generalizing on the basis of small sample studies, non-random sampling and lack geographical representativeness of the studies.

Globalization and Health

As shown in Table  4, all six birds generalized on the basis of featural overlap rather than on the basis of the underlying rule (p = 0.03 on a two-tailed binomial test).

Animal Cognition

For instance, one cannot existentially generalize on the occurrences of 'the \(F\)'.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "generalize on the basis of", ensure that the evidence or data you are generalizing from is substantial and representative to avoid making unsupported claims.

Common error

Avoid using "generalize on the basis of" when your data set is too small or biased. Ensure that the sample is representative of the larger population you're trying to generalize about.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generalize on the basis of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the foundation or reason for making a generalization. This phrase connects specific evidence or data to the broader conclusions derived from it. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "generalize on the basis of" is a grammatically correct and useful expression for indicating that a conclusion is drawn from specific evidence or principles. As Ludwig AI points out, it is often used to justify or explain the reasoning behind a generalization, adding credibility to the claim. While not exceedingly common, appearing in contexts like science, news, and encyclopedias, it signifies a formal to neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure that the data you are drawing from is substantial and representative to avoid unsupported claims. Alternatives include "generalize from" or "conclude based on".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generalize from

Uses a simpler preposition and structure focusing on the source of generalization.

conclude based on

Replaces "generalize" with "conclude" emphasizing the act of drawing a conclusion.

infer from

Highlights the process of drawing inferences or deductions from available information.

draw conclusions from

Emphasizes the action of deriving broader insights or understandings.

make generalizations based on

More verbose and explicitly states the act of making generalizations.

extrapolate from

Focuses on extending known data into unknown areas or contexts.

formulate a generalization from

Suggests a more deliberate and formalized process of developing generalizations.

deduce from

Stresses the logical deduction of a general principle from specific instances.

derive from

Focuses on the origin or source from which a generalization is obtained.

draw broad inferences from

Highlights the scope and nature of the inferences being drawn.

FAQs

How can I use "generalize on the basis of" in a sentence?

You can use "generalize on the basis of" to describe drawing a broad conclusion from specific evidence. For example, "Researchers often "generalize from" their findings to make predictions about larger populations."

What are some alternatives to "generalize on the basis of"?

Alternatives include "generalize from", "conclude based on", or "draw conclusions from" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to "generalize on the basis of" limited information?

No, it is not. Generalizing from limited or biased information can lead to inaccurate or misleading conclusions. It's important to have a robust and representative data set before attempting to "extrapolate from" any data.

What does it mean to "generalize on the basis of" a rule?

To "generalize on the basis of" a rule means to apply a specific rule or principle to a broader range of situations or contexts. This involves recognizing the underlying rule and extending its applicability beyond the initial examples or cases.