generally available

USAGE SUMMARY

"generally available" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is accessible or widespread. For example, "This type of software is generally available to anyone with an internet connection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not generally available to the general public.

Yale University

Generally available for loan.

University of California, Berkeley

In normal times finance is generally available.

The Economist

Odds of 5-2 are generally available.

The Guardian - Sport

(Prescription narcotics are not generally available).

The New York Times

and they are not generally available to visitors to London.

The New York Times - Travel

But that system has not yet become generally available.

The New York Times

Seats are generally available on a first-come basis.

The New York Times - Arts

But such tests are generally available only in rich countries.

The New York Times - Health

It was so much better than what was generally available.

The New Yorker

Thirty-seven percent said it should be generally available.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generally available" to indicate that something is accessible to most people or in most places, but be mindful that it doesn't imply universal access. If something is available to everyone, consider using "universally available" instead.

Common error

Avoid using "generally available" when referring to items or services that are highly restricted or difficult to obtain. This can mislead your audience and create false expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally available" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the extent to which something is accessible or obtainable. As seen in Ludwig, it indicates that something is accessible to most people, though not necessarily all.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "generally available" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something is accessible to most people or in most places. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is appropriate for use in written English. With examples drawn from news sources like The New York Times and academic institutions such as Yale University, the phrase appears most frequently in news and academic contexts. When using "generally available", consider alternatives like "commonly available" or "widely available" for nuanced variations, but avoid overstating actual accessibility. By understanding its nuances and considering its context, you can effectively communicate the availability of various products, services, and resources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commonly available

Replaces "generally" with "commonly", suggesting typical occurrence.

widely available

Substitutes "generally" with "widely", emphasizing broad distribution.

normally available

Suggests typical availability under standard circumstances.

ordinarily available

Similar to "normally available", highlighting usual accessibility.

globally available

Specifies that availability is worldwide, adding a geographic dimension.

mostly available

Indicates availability in the majority of cases, implying some exceptions.

broadly available

Highlights the extensive reach of availability.

universally available

Implies availability to everyone without exception.

often available

Focuses on the frequency of availability rather than its extent.

readily obtainable

Emphasizes the ease with which something can be acquired.

FAQs

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

"Generally available" indicates something is accessible to most. For example, "The software update is "generally available" to all users."

What are some alternatives to "generally available"?

You can use phrases like "commonly available", "widely available", or "normally available" depending on the context.

Is "generally available" the same as "universally available"?

No, "generally available" implies accessibility to most, while "universally available" means accessible to everyone without exception. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the level of access.

When should I avoid using "generally available"?

Avoid using "generally available" when describing something that is restricted, difficult to obtain, or not truly accessible to a wide audience. Be precise about the actual level of availability.