generally go

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generally go" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a common or typical action or behavior in a general sense. Example: "In most cases, people generally go to bed around the same time each night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Where do tourists generally go?

Independent

"People don't generally go missing for nothing.

Independent

Houses generally go for $350,000 to $1 million.

The New York Times

We generally go out for a meal – sit and chat in a nice environment.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Paris guides note that locals generally go at lunchtime, when prices are relatively lower.

The New York Times - Food

Then you generally go into meltdown, tripping over stuff and praying in earnest.

The Guardian - Travel

After that I remained wary of how the masses – myself included – generally go on ski holidays.

The Guardian - Travel

They generally go in groups, with fannypacks and rightwing tour guides and sweaty overdressed clergy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Given a choice between life's goodies and soothing nature, they'll generally go for nature.

The New York Times

Big-name standups at the festival generally go on in the late evening.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Heroin, prostitution, sado-masochism … not generally go-to subjects for songwriters of the 60s.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or common behaviors, use "generally go" to convey a sense of typicality without implying universality. For example, "People generally go to the beach in the summer."

Common error

Avoid using "generally go" when referring to situations with clear exceptions or specific conditions. Overusing the phrase can lead to inaccurate or misleading statements. Instead of saying, "Students generally go to college," consider a more precise statement like, "Many students go to college after high school, but some choose alternative paths."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally go" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a verb. It indicates that an action or occurrence happens in most cases or under normal circumstances. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used to express typical behaviors or tendencies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "generally go" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that serves to indicate a common or typical occurrence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for describing trends, behaviors, or patterns across a range of contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. When using "generally go", it's important to avoid overgeneralization and consider whether there are significant exceptions to the described trend. Consider replacing it with "typically go", "usually go", or "commonly go" based on the desired level of emphasis on frequency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typically go

Replaces "generally" with "typically", suggesting a usual or expected pattern.

usually go

Substitutes "generally" with "usually", indicating a common but not invariable occurrence.

commonly go

Replaces "generally" with "commonly", highlighting the frequency of the action.

frequently go

Similar to "commonly go", emphasizes the repeated nature of the action.

tend to go

Expresses a natural inclination or tendency to perform the action.

are inclined to go

More formal than "tend to go", indicating a predisposition.

are wont to go

An archaic alternative, suggesting a habitual action.

as a rule go

Indicates that the action happens according to a general principle or standard.

most often go

Highlights the most frequent choice or destination.

in general go

Adds a broader scope, suggesting that the action is typical across a population or situation.

FAQs

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

Use "generally go" to describe common or typical actions. For instance, "Tourists "generally go" to popular landmarks" or "People "generally go" to bed around the same time each night".

What are some alternatives to "generally go"?

You can use alternatives like "typically go", "usually go", or "commonly go" depending on the context.

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

While "in general they go" is grammatically correct, "generally they go" is more concise and commonly used to express the same idea. "In general they go" might be preferred for emphasis or in specific rhetorical contexts.

What's the difference between "generally go" and "always go"?

"Generally go" implies a common but not universal action, while "always go" suggests an action that occurs without exception. For example, "People "generally go" to the doctor when they are sick," but they don't "always go".