generally however

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generally however" is not correct as it combines two contrasting terms in a way that is not standard in English.
It can be used when you want to introduce a contrast or exception to a general statement, but it should be rephrased for clarity. Example: "The results were positive; however, generally, we need to consider other factors."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Generally, however.

Independent

Generally, however, damage appeared limited.

The New York Times

Generally, however, response has been highly positive.

The New York Times

Generally, however, airlines do not like variable landing fees.

The New York Times

Generally, however, the systems follow one of three models.

The Guardian

Generally, however, the meeting of cultures takes place more subtly.

The New York Times - Books

Generally, however, he found Flashman an impressively accurate observer.

The Economist

Generally, however, there is not a lot of levity.

The New York Times - Arts

More generally, however, Japanese house prices are unlikely to crumble.

The Economist

The problem for crowd management generally, however, is that no two places are alike.

The Guardian

Generally, however, the protests have been less serious, and at times almost good-natured.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, consider splitting "generally" and "however" into separate sentences or using a more explicit contrasting phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "generally however" because it combines two terms that introduce conflicting ideas. Choose one or the other to maintain a clear and logical flow in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally however" functions as an adverbial phrase intended to introduce a contrast or exception to a preceding general statement. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase combines two contrasting terms. However, the construction is often considered grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "generally however" appears frequently across diverse sources, including news, science, and encyclopedias, it's considered grammatically incorrect due to its combination of conflicting ideas, as highlighted by Ludwig AI. For clearer and more precise writing, it's advisable to use alternatives like "generally speaking, though" or split the sentence to separate the general statement from the contrasting point. Despite its common usage, aiming for grammatical correctness will enhance the credibility and clarity of your writing. Although it appears often, especially in journalistic contexts, opting for structured alternatives ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In general however

Uses "in general" instead of "generally", slightly altering the emphasis but keeping the meaning similar.

Generally speaking though

Replaces "however" with "though", maintaining a casual tone while introducing a contrast.

In most cases however

Directly specifies that the general statement applies to the majority of situations.

On the whole however

Employs "on the whole" to convey a sense of totality before introducing the exception.

By and large however

Similar to "on the whole", but with a slightly more informal tone.

As a rule however

Presents the general statement as a common practice or standard.

For the most part however

Highlights that the statement is true in most cases, but not all.

Typically speaking however

Emphasizes that the statement reflects what usually happens, but with exceptions.

In general terms however

Highlights that the statement is a broad overview and may not be precise in every detail.

More often than not however

Indicates that the general statement is more likely to be true than not.

FAQs

Is "generally however" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "generally however" is not considered grammatically correct. It combines two terms that introduce conflicting ideas. It's better to use alternatives like "generally speaking, though" or "in general, however".

What's a good way to rephrase "generally however" in a sentence?

Instead of "generally however", consider using phrases such as "for the most part, however", "on the whole, however", or breaking the sentence into two for better clarity.

Which is more appropriate: "generally, however" or "generally however"?

While both phrases are used, "generally, however" is more grammatically sound and improves readability by including a comma after "generally". However, consider alternatives to avoid any potential awkwardness.

How can I use "generally" and "however" effectively in my writing?

Use "generally" to introduce a broad statement and "however" to present a contrast or exception. For example, "Generally, people enjoy sunny days. "However", some prefer cloudy weather."