generally and specifically

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'generally and specifically' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'generally and specifically' to emphasize that something pertains to both the general population and to certain individuals. For example, you could say: "This policy applies to employees generally and specifically to those working in the accounting department."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Various themes emerged and included the generation of ideas for the Child in Mind project generally and specifically in the development of training materials.

BMC Medical Education

However, most first generation Black African women, some second generation Black African women and first generation Black Caribbean women, appeared less receptive towards media/health campaigns about cancer generally and specifically breast awareness, before they were diagnosed.

BMJ Open

Knepper spoke disparagingly of women generally, and specifically of the National Organization for Women after it criticized him.

The New York Times - Sports

Such an argument would be used to question Mr. Louima's account generally, and specifically to question whether Mr. Schwarz -- or perhaps any second officer -- was involved.

The New York Times

Clinton later said that he was "almost" ready to apologize for the angry tenor of the occasion, which, after all, was intended to bolster black support for his wife generally, and specifically in the now-competitive April 19th New York primary.

The New Yorker

By James Surowiecki January 7, 2009 The bloggers at Free Exchange (until today, I wasn't sure there was more than one, but the references to "my colleague" cleared things up for me) have a couple of nice posts in defense of speculation, both generally and specifically with regard to credit default swaps (CDS), which have become one of the great bête noires of this financial crisis.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

They are generally insensitive and specifically insulting to our past and current African-American student-athletes".

The New York Times - Sports

Cohen's later works increasingly emphasized generally religious and specifically Judaic elements.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Thus, the effects of predisposing risk factors might be attenuated on diets that are generally healthy and specifically low in glycemic load".

Vice

At these regions, histones are generally hypoacetylated and specifically methylated on H3K9 (H3K9me).

EMBO Journal

This trend is similar to findings from previous studies exploring variation in patient experiences of care generally 2 4 5 and specifically for cancer.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generally and specifically" to provide a balanced perspective, addressing both overall trends and particular cases. This helps ensure your writing is both comprehensive and detailed.

Common error

Avoid using "generally and specifically" too frequently in a single piece of writing. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement and prevent redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally and specifically" functions as an adverbial conjunction, modifying a statement to clarify that it applies both to a broad category and to particular instances within that category. It is used to provide a nuanced perspective, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "generally and specifically" is a grammatically correct and frequently used conjunction to highlight both the broad and particular aspects of a subject. Ludwig's analysis, supported by numerous examples from reputable sources across science, news, and formal business, confirms its versatility. While simple, its function adds clarity and depth by ensuring that the reader understands the scope and precision of a statement. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid redundancy and consider alternative phrasing when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in general and in particular

Replaces "generally" with "in general" and "specifically" with "in particular", offering a slightly more formal tone.

broadly and in detail

Substitutes "generally" with "broadly" and "specifically" with "in detail", altering the focus to scope and depth.

on the whole and particularly

Emphasizes the overall aspect with "on the whole" while retaining a focus on particular instances.

as a rule and especially

Highlights typical cases with "as a rule" and then narrows to exceptional instances using "especially".

in most cases and notably

Indicates the majority with "in most cases", followed by significant examples with "notably".

for the most part and precisely

Similar to "generally and specifically" but underscores accuracy with "precisely".

typically and exactly

Focuses on typical scenarios and then pinpoints precise instances.

on average and distinctly

Presents an average view followed by clear, distinct examples.

in a global sense and individually

Contrasts a global perspective with individual considerations.

as a whole and elementally

Highlights a holistic view versus individual elements or components.

FAQs

How can I use "generally and specifically" in a sentence?

You can use "generally and specifically" to indicate that something applies broadly but also has particular relevance to certain instances. For example, "The new regulations affect all employees generally and specifically impact those in management positions".

What are some alternatives to "generally and specifically"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in general and in particular", "broadly and in detail", or "on the whole and particularly depending on the context".

Is it redundant to use "generally and specifically" together?

While "generally and specifically" might seem somewhat redundant, it serves to emphasize the dual scope of your statement, covering both broad applications and precise instances. However, use it judiciously to avoid unnecessary repetition.

What is the difference between "generally and specifically" and "usually and exactly"?

"Generally and specifically" indicates a broad overview followed by particular instances, whereas "usually and exactly" focuses on typical occurrences and precise details. The former is better for outlining scope, and the latter for accuracy.