generally not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generally not" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something generally does not happen. Example: Snow is generally not seen in this area of the country.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Reservations are generally not needed.

The New York Times

(Appointments are generally not necessary).

The New York Times - Travel

Why do men generally not?

The Guardian

Foreigners are generally not allowed.

The New York Times - Arts

Free and generally not crowded.

The New York Times - Travel

That's generally not a problem.

The New York Times

It's generally not a religious thing.

Independent

It is generally not an industrial hazard.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Books are generally not included, either.

The New York Times

Confrontation is generally not Mr. Parsons's style.

The New York Times

People were generally not bothered by you.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generally not" to express a qualified negation, indicating something is typically not the case but allowing for exceptions. This adds nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "generally not" when you mean an absolute negation. If something is never the case, use "never" or "not at all" instead of softening the statement unnecessarily.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally not" functions as an adverbial modifier, qualifying the statement that follows. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something is not usually the case, suggesting there can be exceptions. The examples from Ludwig demonstrate this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

25%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "generally not" is a versatile adverbial modifier that indicates something is typically untrue but allows for exceptions. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical status is correct, and it is frequently employed in various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. Authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian commonly use it. When using "generally not", it's crucial to avoid overstating absolutes and consider using alternative phrases like "typically not" or "usually not" for nuanced expression. The phrase serves to qualify statements, providing a sense of typicality without excluding potential deviations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typically not

Indicates a usual absence, differing slightly in emphasis on typicality.

usually not

Implies a customary absence, closely aligning with the original meaning.

commonly not

Suggests a lack of common occurrence, similar in scope.

mostly not

Indicates that something is not the case most of the time, close in meaning.

largely not

Implies that something is not true to a great extent, indicating a broad absence.

ordinarily not

Refers to the lack of something in the normal course of events, similar in formality.

normally not

Suggests a deviation from the norm, mirroring the original phrase.

rarely

Indicates infrequent occurrence, providing a concise alternative.

not often

Directly expresses infrequent occurrence, maintaining clarity.

seldom

Signifies infrequent occurrence with a slightly more formal tone.

FAQs

How to use "generally not" in a sentence?

Use "generally not" to indicate that something is typically untrue or does not usually happen. For instance, "Reservations are "generally not" needed at that restaurant" suggests that while reservations aren't usually necessary, there might be exceptions.

What can I say instead of "generally not"?

You can use alternatives like "typically not", "usually not", or "commonly not" depending on the context. They all convey a similar meaning of something not being the case most of the time.

Is it okay to start a sentence with "generally not"?

While grammatically possible, starting a sentence with "generally not" is uncommon and can sound awkward. It's better to rephrase the sentence to incorporate the phrase more smoothly within the sentence structure.

What's the difference between "generally not" and "not generally"?

The phrases "generally not" and "not generally" have similar meanings, but the former is more common and idiomatic. "Generally not" typically precedes the verb or adjective it modifies, while "not generally" may follow it or be used in more complex constructions. For most cases, "generally not" is clearer and more concise.