generally are

USAGE SUMMARY

"generally are" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are making a general statement about how something usually happens or is typically done. For example: "Cats generally are nocturnal creatures that hunt at night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Prices generally are low.

The New York Times

Sunspiders generally are nocturnal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The tricky ones generally are.

Independent

Those decisions generally are not poll-tested.

The New York Times

True, cross-shareholdings generally are falling.

The Economist

"Men, generally, are naturally quicker than women.

The Guardian - Sport

Maybe women generally are less easily satisfied".

The Guardian - Film

But men, generally, are not the problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gymnasts generally are not fans of competing in the morning.

The New York Times - Sports

Monthly maintenance charges generally are $350 to $550.

The New York Times

Defector cases generally are handled under parole procedures.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generally are" to introduce facts or observations that hold true in most cases, allowing for exceptions. This adds nuance and accuracy to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "generally are" when describing situations where exceptions are rare or nonexistent. Overusing it can weaken your arguments and make them seem less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally are" functions as an adverbial modifier indicating that the statement it precedes is usually the case but not always. It introduces a generalization, a common characteristic, or a typical state of affairs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "generally are" is a versatile phrase used to introduce statements that are typically true but not universally applicable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. It is found most frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science contexts. When writing with "generally are", be mindful of potential overgeneralization. Consider alternatives like "typically are" or "usually are" for nuanced expression. The phrase functions as an adverbial modifier, helping to communicate common occurrences or characteristics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typically are

Replaces "generally" with "typically", indicating a common occurrence.

usually are

Substitutes "generally" with "usually", denoting a customary or expected situation.

commonly are

Employs "commonly" instead of "generally", suggesting widespread occurrence.

frequently are

Replaces "generally" with "frequently", indicating a high rate of occurrence.

often are

Substitutes "generally" with "often", suggesting a regular but not necessarily universal occurrence.

as a rule are

Expresses a general principle or guideline.

in general are

Adds "in general" for emphasis on the broad statement.

for the most part are

Highlights that something is true except in specific instances.

more often than not are

Implies that something is more likely to happen than not.

on the whole are

Suggests that something is true when considering everything.

FAQs

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

Use "generally are" to make statements that are usually true but might have exceptions. For instance, "Cats "generally are" nocturnal creatures" means most cats are active at night, but some might be active during the day.

What can I say instead of "generally are"?

You can use alternatives like "typically are", "usually are", or "commonly are" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in general are" instead of "generally are"?

Both ""generally are"" and "in general are" are correct, but "generally are" is more concise and frequently used. "In general are" can add emphasis to the broad nature of the statement.

When should I not use "generally are"?

Avoid using "generally are" when you're describing something that is always true without exception. In such cases, a more definitive statement is appropriate, for example: "Humans require oxygen to survive" instead of "Humans generally are requiring oxygen to survive".