generally does

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generally does" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a common or typical action or behavior in a general sense. Example: "The new policy generally does improve employee satisfaction across the board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

(He generally does).

The New Yorker

It generally does more harm than good".

Independent

Tyco generally does not disclose those figures.

The New York Times

He generally does his job effectively.

The Guardian - Sport

He generally does not invest in technology companies.

The New York Times

Reed generally does good things for the Mets.

The New York Times - Sports

USAA said it generally does not charge for paper statements.

The New York Times

Medicare generally does not cover outpatient prescription drugs.

The New York Times

Moving old homes around generally does not interest him much.

The New York Times

Ms. Schwartz generally does not do that sort of thing.

The New York Times

Patrick Marber, like your mother, generally does know better.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "generally does", ensure the context makes it clear that exceptions are possible. Avoid using it in situations requiring absolute certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "generally does" when a situation requires absolute precision. Overusing this phrase can weaken your argument if specific data or evidence is available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally does" functions as an auxiliary phrase modifying a verb. It indicates that an action or state is typical or usual, but not necessarily universal. As Ludwig AI notes, it's a grammatically sound construction for conveying likelihood or commonality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

22%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "generally does" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate a typical or common action, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's most common in News & Media and Science contexts. While it effectively conveys generalizations, it's important to avoid overstating claims when precision is required. Alternatives such as "usually does" or "typically does" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Overall, "generally does" is a versatile phrase for expressing common tendencies, but should be used thoughtfully to avoid misleading implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

usually does

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

typically does

Substitutes "generally" with "typically", suggesting a representative behavior.

commonly does

Uses "commonly" instead of "generally", highlighting a frequent action.

tends to do

Employs a different grammatical structure to express a inclination or habit.

often does

Replaces "generally" with "often", indicating a frequent but not necessarily universal action.

frequently does

Uses "frequently" instead of "generally", highlighting a repeated action.

as a rule does

Employs "as a rule" to suggest a common practice or behavior.

in general does

Uses "in general" to indicate a widespread or overall pattern.

on the whole does

Suggests an overall pattern using the phrase "on the whole".

more often than not does

Indicates a higher probability of occurrence using the phrase "more often than not".

FAQs

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

The phrase "generally does" is used to indicate that something typically or usually happens. For example: "The company "generally does" well in the first quarter of the year".

What are some alternatives to "generally does"?

Alternatives to "generally does" include "usually does", "typically does", or "tends to do". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "generally does not"?

Yes, "generally does not" is a correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that something typically or usually does not happen. For instance: "Medicare "generally does not" cover outpatient prescription drugs".

What is the difference between "generally does" and "always does"?

"Generally does" indicates a common but not universal occurrence, while "always does" suggests that something happens without exception. Using "generally does" acknowledges that there may be instances where the action does not occur.