generalized

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'generalized' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that has become more broad, abstract, or simplified. Example sentence: The problem was generalized to make it easier to explain.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They also agree that the reasoning generates an infinite regress of forms of largeness, and that the argument could be generalized to generate an infinite regress of forms corresponding to any predicate.

SEP

This defense may be generalized by claiming that intuition is self-supporting insofar as the general claim that intuitions provide prima facie justification for belief in their contents is itself intuitive.

SEP

Last month the UN committee on enforced disappearances berated the government for not doing enough to tackle what it called the "generalized" problem of disappearances, including many that involved state agents, such as the police.

The Guardian

Of course, Burke was a Whig.On Ricardo Caballero's post, Federal Farmer writes:When will "generalized panic risk" be detectable?

The Economist

The dilemma was generalized by William Rowe (1975).

SEP

The puzzle can be generalized.

SEP

The theory was later generalized by Zermelo.

SEP

Thus, activity-function details about a signaling cascade gleaned from a model organism can be generalized via homology to other unstudied organisms even if the developmental role varies for the activity-function in other species.

SEP

Later, however, Schlick criticized generalized conventionalism in his reprinted and widely-read article of 1935 "Are Natural Laws Conventions?" Reichenbach took up geometric conventionalism in his Philosophy of Space and Time (1928) and Carnap generalized conventions, taking them to be the adoption of a formal language of science.

SEP

Poincaré's epistemological thesis that all statements depend, at least partially, on a conventional conceptual framework is generalized in Kasimir Ajdukiewicz's radical conventionalism (Ajdukiewicz 1978) and is related to the Quinean notion that there are logically incompatible but empirically equivalent theories (Quine 1990: chap. 41).

SEP

(Obviously, this could be generalized within the context of ancient Greek mathematics, but it would not be important to Aristotle's argument or theory).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generalized" to indicate a shift from specific instances to broader applications or principles, ensuring the context clearly reflects this broadening.

Common error

Avoid using "generalized" when the context requires a specific example or detailed analysis. Overgeneralizing can lead to inaccurate or misleading statements.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "generalized" is as an adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that it has been made more general or less specific. Ludwig shows many examples of its usage in academic and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "generalized" functions as an adjective denoting the act of making something more broad or less specific. Ludwig highlights its common usage in academic and scientific contexts, often to describe the widening of a theory's applicability. As Ludwig AI states, the term is grammatically correct and suitable for formal writing. When employing "generalized", it's crucial to ensure that the context supports a shift towards broader application and that overgeneralization doesn't compromise accuracy. Understanding its function and appropriate contexts will ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

made universal

Focuses on the act of making something applicable to all cases.

broadened in scope

Emphasizes the expansion of the area or range covered.

made more inclusive

Highlights the act of including more elements or aspects.

less specific

Indicates a move away from particular details.

made more abstract

Focuses on moving from concrete instances to more theoretical concepts.

widened in application

Emphasizes the increase in the number of situations where something can be used.

extended in range

Highlights the expansion of the limits or boundaries.

simplified

Indicates making something easier to understand, often by removing details.

made less specialized

Focuses on decreasing the specificity of a skill or function.

abstracted

Describes the process of creating a general concept from specific examples.

FAQs

How can I use "generalized" in a sentence?

You can use "generalized" to describe something that has become more broad or less specific. For example: "The theory was "generalized" to apply to a wider range of situations."

What does "generalized" mean?

"Generalized" means to make something more general or applicable to a wider range of cases, reducing its specificity.

What are some synonyms for "generalized"?

Synonyms for "generalized" include "made universal", "broadened in scope", and "less specific" depending on the context.

Is it better to be "generalized" or specific in writing?

It depends on your purpose. "Generalized" language is useful for overviews or broad applications, while specific language is necessary for detailed explanations and precise instructions. Knowing when to be generalized versus specific enhances the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.