generally accept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generally accept" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing common beliefs, practices, or standards that are widely recognized. For example: "Experts generally accept that climate change is a significant issue." Alternative expressions include "commonly acknowledge" and "widely recognize."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Hotels in Chile generally accept dollars).

The New York Times - Travel

States generally accept the first quite readily.

The Guardian

"People generally accept American dollars, and in some cases prefer them," Mr. Botero said.

The New York Times

The fighters generally accept the proposed fights or risk being dropped.

The Guardian - Sport

"People generally accept and in fact have good feelings about them," he said.

The New York Times

"What I don't generally accept is the D.O.E.'s definition of the game rules," he said.

The New York Times

Judges, no less than litigants, generally accept the rulings of the Second Circuit with a kind of grumpy servility.

The New Yorker

I think most generally accept that Sarbanes-Oxley has been a bit of a resource drain for many companies.

The Economist

The second part of the test: once you start using it, do they say "Oh, MUST we?" or do they generally accept it?

The Guardian - Tech

In a post-scientific age, we generally accept that reliable conclusions are made from evidence and experience, not from torturing old texts.

The New Yorker

Though evidence of the account is sketchy, historians generally accept that Oñate ordered the brutal punishment and that his orders were probably carried out.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, this phrase is ideal for introducing a prevailing theory or an established methodology that is currently the norm in the field.

Common error

Do not pair this phrase with other qualifiers like 'mostly' or 'usually' in the same clause (e.g., 'most experts mostly generally accept'). Choose one adverb to maintain clarity and professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally accept" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a transitive verb. According to Ludwig, it is used to denote that an action or a belief is standard across a majority of a group. The adverb 'generally' functions as a hedge, indicating that while the consensus is broad, it is not necessarily absolute.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "generally accept" is a robust and versatile tool for English writers, particularly in academic and journalistic settings. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a correct and highly frequent expression used to signal consensus. Whether you are discussing scientific theories, social norms or professional standards, this phrase allows you to state what is typical while acknowledging that outliers may exist. It is most effectively used in the present tense to describe current states of knowledge or behavior. For more emphatic or formal alternatives, writers might consider options like "widely acknowledge" or "typically accept" depending on the specific nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typically accept

suggests a standard behavior or response in specific recurring situations

widely acknowledge

places more emphasis on the public recognition of a fact rather than just accepting it

commonly recognize

implies a shared identification of a status or quality

generally agree

focuses on the harmony of opinion rather than the act of acceptance

broadly endorse

carries a stronger sense of active support or approval

largely admit

often implies a level of concession or yielding to an argument

frequently adopt

suggests the active taking up of a practice or policy

normally assume

shifts the meaning toward taking something for granted without explicit proof

ordinarily tolerate

implies a passive acceptance of something that might not be fully liked

universally embrace

removes the 'general' hedge and implies total, enthusiastic acceptance

FAQs

How do I use "generally accept" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a widespread belief, such as: "Scientists "generally accept" that the universe is expanding." It functions as an adverbial modifier for the verb 'accept'.

What is a more formal alternative to "generally accept"?

In formal academic contexts, you might prefer to use "widely acknowledge" or "broadly endorse" to convey a similar meaning with more precision.

What is the difference between "generally accept" and "generally agree"?

While "generally accept" refers to the reception of an idea or fact, "generally agree" refers to the alignment of opinions between parties.

Is "generally accepted" more common than "generally accept"?

The past participle form "generally accepted" is often used as an adjective (e.g., 'generally accepted principles'), whereas the base form is used for active descriptions.