generally

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "generally" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is usually the case. For example, "It is generally accepted that the earth is round."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's very sweet, polite, hard-working, kind and generally lovely.

The Guardian - Opinion

Economists generally agree that the key to addressing climate change is to raise the cost of burning fossil fuels, either directly, through a carbon tax, or indirectly, through a cap-and-trade program.

The Economist

The African Union and most southern African nations have generally been supportive of the vote, but sharp criticism has come from non-governmental groups and western governments including Britain.

The Guardian

So far, the RBA has generally erred on the side of fighting rising house prices first, leaving the sluggish economy and worryingly high level of unemployment largely to run its course.

The Guardian

There's a reason they're so popular, they're generally quite safe, and there's usually a good pub or two nearby.

The Guardian

As that "someone" is generally governments and authorities introducing rules and regulations, this seems to put some "free market" advocates in a quandary.

The Guardian

While it has a close relationship with Indiana's capital city, college sports have been at the forefront of several breakthroughs for gay rights in the last two years, and the young adults and college students the NCAA represents have generally been supportive of those changes.

The Guardian - Sport

It's not terrible: Bibb has a lot of fun as Rogers, cursing, burping and generally offending anyone she comes into contact with, and Dratch is a safe pair of hands as her beleaguered pal.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Probably not, though I generally support their progressive agenda," he said.

The Guardian

The term "big wall" is generally used by climbers to describe some of the world's longest climbs – usually predominantly on rock involving up to 30 rope lengths, and on which most climbers would expect to spend days climbing.

The Guardian

It had torn around round the island for about 36 hours, and given it a real thrashing, flattening vegetation, whipping off a few roofs and generally causing trouble.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generally" to make statements about common trends or occurrences without implying absolute certainty. It adds a layer of accuracy when describing situations that aren't always consistent.

Common error

Avoid using "generally" when the statement applies to nearly all cases. In such situations, a stronger term like "always" or "universally" might be more accurate, unless there's a specific reason to indicate potential exceptions.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "generally" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that a statement is true in most cases but not necessarily all. It serves to qualify assertions, introducing a degree of approximation or commonality. Ludwig shows numerous examples of its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "generally" is a versatile adverb used to express that something is true in most cases, but not always. Ludwig AI analysis of numerous examples from reliable sources, like The Guardian and The Economist, confirms that it's grammatically correct and very common, particularly in neutral contexts like news reporting. When writing, use "generally" to indicate common trends or prevalent conditions, but avoid overgeneralizing when more definitive language is appropriate. Alternatives include "in general", "usually", and "typically", each with subtle differences in emphasis. The word appears appropriate for describing something that is usually the case.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in general

Focuses on a broad, overall perspective rather than a specific tendency.

typically

Emphasizes conformity to a type or standard.

usually

Highlights what most often occurs.

on the whole

Suggests a comprehensive assessment with possible exceptions.

for the most part

Indicates that something is true except for some particular instances.

as a rule

Highlights a common practice or standard.

broadly speaking

Emphasizes a lack of precision or detail.

by and large

Suggests considering something as a whole, ignoring minor exceptions.

more often than not

Highlights the higher frequency of an event, but not necessarily always.

ordinarily

Emphasizes conventional or normal circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "generally" in a sentence?

You can use "generally" to indicate that something is usually the case, as in "It is "generally accepted" that exercise is good for your health".

What are some alternatives to "generally"?

Alternatives include "in general", "usually", or "typically", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "generally" and "universally"?

"Generally" indicates that something is true in most cases, while "universally" means it is true in all cases without exception. If something is not true in every single instance, use "generally".

When is it inappropriate to use "generally"?

Avoid using "generally" when you have precise data or evidence that points to a more definitive conclusion. In such cases, using stronger terms like "always" or "certainly" would be more fitting.