generally sedentary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generally sedentary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lifestyle or behavior that is mostly inactive or involves little physical activity. Example: "Many office workers lead a generally sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to health issues over time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Polyps are generally sedentary.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Scorpionfish are carnivorous and generally sedentary.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The volunteers were healthy but generally sedentary; none exercised regularly.

The New York Times

The coastal species are generally sedentary, but the oceangoing species make extended, regular migrations.

Britannica

And even if they were, when you are watching a screen you are generally sedentary, not interacting with others, and relying on the screen to entertain or guide you rather than entertaining or guiding yourself.

Harvard University

Significant numbers of men and women over 30, 40 and 50 years of age and with generally sedentary lifestyles reported occasional tramping during which they carried backpacks weighing up to 29% of their body weight for more than five hours over 11 15 km/day.

Applied Ergonomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

While generally rather sedentary, El Niño events may trigger massive dispersal and vagrancy north to Colombia and south to southern Chile.

Cornell University

For Domestic Readers Reading can be done anywhere, but it's generally a sedentary activity.

Huffington Post

The relationship between excess sleep and MES observed in our study may also be explained by the likelihood that some of the more sedating antipsychotic drugs have been observed to be implicated in the development of MES [ 27], or potentially that those participants with sleep disruption may be more likely to be engaging in a generally more sedentary lifestyle.

BMC Psychiatry

They also report feeling generally better than sedentary people.

Stanford University

The herders of the area generally lead a sedentary life for part of the year, settling where rains allow for a harvest of maize or sorghum.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a group of people, clarify the extent to which they are sedentary. Use qualifiers like "most", "many", or "a majority" to provide a clearer understanding of the activity levels within the group.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all members of a particular profession or demographic are "generally sedentary". Individual activity levels can vary greatly, so it's important to avoid broad generalizations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally sedentary" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun to describe a state or condition of being mostly inactive. As Ludwig shows, it's used to characterize lifestyles, habits, or even the behavior of animals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

31%

Wiki

25%

News & Media

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

19%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "generally sedentary" is a useful descriptor for lifestyles or behaviors characterized by a lack of physical activity. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, it's important to avoid overgeneralizations and to specify the extent of inactivity. Consider alternatives like "mostly inactive" or "largely inactive" to fine-tune your meaning and remember context influences how appropriate this expression can be.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mostly inactive

Focuses on the lack of activity, rather than a habitual state.

largely inactive

Similar to 'mostly inactive' but implies inactivity is a significant aspect.

primarily sedentary

Highlights that being sedentary is the main characteristic.

relatively inactive

Indicates a comparison to a more active state.

typically inactive

Emphasizes the habitual nature of inactivity.

habitually inactive

Strongly suggests a deeply ingrained pattern of inactivity.

mostly stationary

Focuses on the lack of movement or travel.

largely desk-bound

Specifically relates inactivity to work or activities done at a desk.

physically passive

Emphasizes the lack of physical exertion.

not very active

A more direct and simple way to express a lack of activity.

FAQs

What does "generally sedentary" mean?

The phrase "generally sedentary" describes a lifestyle or condition characterized by a lack of physical activity or movement for the most part. It implies that while there might be occasional activity, the overall pattern is one of inactivity.

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

You can use "generally sedentary" to describe people (e.g., "Office workers often lead a generally sedentary life"), animals (e.g., "Some bird species are generally sedentary within their territory"), or even communities (e.g., "The population became generally sedentary after the agricultural revolution").

What are some alternatives to "generally sedentary"?

Alternatives to "generally sedentary" include "mostly inactive", "largely inactive", "primarily sedentary", or "relatively inactive". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone has a "generally sedentary" lifestyle?

Yes, it is correct. It means that the person's lifestyle is mostly characterized by a lack of physical activity. The word "generally" indicates it's the usual, but not necessarily the exclusive, state.