generally speaking however

USAGE SUMMARY

"generally speaking however" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to introduce a thought or opinion that contrasts with what has just been stated. For example: "The weather has been unusually warm lately. Generally speaking however, winter is still the coldest season in this region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Generally speaking, however, here's what the terminology means.

Harvard University

Generally speaking, however, Tiger is no longer the short-game wizard he once was.

The New Yorker

Generally speaking, however, these influences colored Chinese music without radically deflecting it from its stately course.

The New York Times - Arts

Generally speaking, however, bullying is more effective at harming victims than aiding aggressors.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Generally speaking, however, these studies have not explained the prominent effects of multiple subjects collaboratively discovering a target.

Cognitive Systems Research

Generally speaking, however, to obtain full payment for repair or replacement, the repair or replacement must be completed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

These values in the setting of other diagnoses (such as rheumatoid arthritis) support data from the Swedish Knee Arthroplasty Register (Robertsson and Lidgren 2007); however, generally speaking the published literature has yet to show a difference in outcome for resurfaced patellas in terms of revision rates (Shoji et al. 1989, Kajino et al. 1997, Moran and Horton 2000, Gioe et al. 2007).

Acta Orthopaedica

However, generally speaking, we northern Sudanese are not.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, generally speaking, applications will be accepted from January to March.

Columbia University

However, generally speaking, private equity funds typically obtain independent valuations based on this type of accounting standard only once a year, so their first effort under FAS 157 is just around the corner.

The New York Times

However, generally speaking, F.catus ' domestication has led to some morphological differences such as smaller brains, jaws, and teeth than its wild cousins, as well as a wider variety of coat colors and lengths.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generally speaking however" to introduce a qualification or exception to a broad statement. Ensure the contrasting idea is clearly linked to the initial general point.

Common error

Avoid overusing "generally speaking however" in close proximity. Its inherent redundancy can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider simpler alternatives like "but" or "however" after making a general statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally speaking however" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying the clause it introduces. It serves to qualify a preceding statement, indicating a potential exception or contrast. Ludwig AI indicates that is correct and can be used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "generally speaking however" serves as an adverbial phrase that introduces a qualification or exception to a general statement. While grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, it can be considered somewhat redundant. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable, but writers should be mindful of conciseness and avoid overuse. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "on the whole, nevertheless". The phrase's strength lies in its ability to soften generalizations and add balance to an argument. Ludwig examples show that it often appears in news, science, and encyclopedia articles, underscoring its widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, in general

Reorders the phrase, shifting emphasis slightly but retaining the core meaning.

broadly speaking, though

Replaces "however" with "though", creating a slightly less formal tone.

but generally

Omits "speaking" and uses a simple conjunction, creating a more concise contrast.

on the whole, however

Replaces "generally speaking" with "on the whole" for a more formal tone.

typically, however

Offers a common condition before the contrast.

in most cases, however

Specifies a condition of 'most cases' before introducing the contrast.

as a rule, however

Uses "as a rule" as a substitute for "generally speaking", implying typical circumstances.

in general terms, nevertheless

Introduces the contrast with "nevertheless" for a stronger emphasis.

with that said

Offers a transition to a contrasting point after a general observation.

that being said

Similar to "with that said", indicating a shift in perspective.

FAQs

Is "generally speaking however" redundant?

Yes, "generally speaking" and "however" both introduce a contrast or exception. Using them together can be redundant, but it is an accepted phrase. Consider using just "however" or a similar transitional phrase for conciseness.

What's a more formal alternative to "generally speaking however"?

For a more formal tone, try phrases like "on the whole, "nevertheless"" or "in general terms, "nonetheless"". These options provide a similar meaning with greater sophistication.

When is it appropriate to use "generally speaking however"?

Use "generally speaking however" when you want to introduce a specific exception or contrasting point after making a broad statement. It's suitable when you need to soften a generalization with a qualification.

Can I use "generally speaking however" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, "generally speaking however" can begin a sentence to signal a shift in thought. For example: "Generally speaking however, there are exceptions to this rule."