generally correct

USAGE SUMMARY

"generally correct" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is mostly right, although it may not be completely accurate. For example, "His answer was generally correct, but he didn't address the entire question."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

While the tree generated by MI-GRAAL is generally correct, two networks (ER_1000_0.003 and DD_1000_0.007) are wrongly clustered.

Bioinformatics

Thus, Salt (2010) was generally correct in suggesting that larger vector strings can generate larger slopes (and even Whittle values).

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

According to our model, this is generally correct, but in some cases the neural network is able to generate almost perfectly correlated firing rates even if the inputs are independent.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience (JMN)

SERVICE -- Pleasant and generally correct.

The New York Times

When the rest of the journalism world gets something wrong, they generally correct themselves.

The New York Times

One of your claims — that the "money is everything" assertion has failed — is generally correct but requires further elaboration.

The New York Times

For this work, which has been proved generally correct for bacteria, the two men were awarded a Nobel Prize.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Thanks to the LHC, scientists have demonstrated that the Standard Model – which explains the underlying structure of the cosmos's observable matter – is generally correct," Heuer told the Observer.

The Guardian

That is generally correct but the point is that these days everyone – right- or left-leaning – has reason to doubt the ability of the state.

The Guardian - Opinion

Morgan's ideas about the development of technology over time have come to be regarded as generally correct in their fundamental aspects.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Oval Space, E2, Fri BB Despite having been present and generally correct on the UK electronic music scene for the past 25 years, Andrew Weatherall is far from a spent force.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generally correct" when you want to convey that something is mostly true but might have minor inaccuracies or exceptions. For example, "The historical account is generally correct, although some dates are disputed."

Common error

Avoid using "generally correct" when complete accuracy is required. Instead, use more precise language to acknowledge any uncertainties or exceptions. Using "generally correct" where full accuracy is needed can mislead the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally correct" functions as an adjective phrase that typically modifies a noun or pronoun. It serves to describe the degree of accuracy or validity of something, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "generally correct" is a versatile adjective phrase indicating that something is mostly accurate, though not perfectly so. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in science, news media, and encyclopedias. When using the phrase, be mindful of overstating accuracy, and consider alternatives like "mostly accurate" or "largely accurate" to fine-tune the message. Remember, this phrase offers a balanced way to acknowledge accuracy while allowing for minor discrepancies, enhancing precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally accurate

Highlights a high degree of accuracy on the whole.

mostly accurate

Emphasizes a high degree of accuracy with minor deviations.

largely accurate

Highlights the significant portion that is accurate, acknowledging possible small errors.

accurate for the most part

Highlights that the main part of the statement is accurate

broadly accurate

Suggests overall accuracy, but with potential for finer details to be incorrect.

primarily correct

Indicates the aspect of primary importance is correct

substantially correct

Indicates that the main points are correct, even if some details might be off.

correct in the main

Focuses on the primary aspects being correct, with less emphasis on minor details.

accurate on the whole

Stresses that the overall assessment is accurate, despite some potential discrepancies.

mostly right

A more informal way of saying "generally correct", implying a few minor errors.

FAQs

How can I use "generally correct" in a sentence?

You can use "generally correct" to indicate that something is mostly accurate, but not entirely. For example, "His assessment of the situation was "generally correct", though he missed a few details."

What are some alternatives to "generally correct"?

You can use alternatives like "mostly accurate", "largely accurate", or "broadly accurate depending on the degree of accuracy you want to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use "generally correct"?

It's inappropriate to use "generally correct" when complete accuracy is required or when the inaccuracies are significant. In those cases, use more precise language to acknowledge the specific issues.

Is "generally correct" the same as "completely correct"?

No, "generally correct" means mostly right with some possible errors, while "completely correct" means entirely without error. Using "generally correct" acknowledges that there may be minor discrepancies.