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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
generic
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The word "generic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is very common or not specific. For example: He gave a generic answer to the question.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Michael McCaughan of Windhover, an industry publisher, reckons that such authorised generics mean that a generic firm loses "potentially half of the windfall that comes from an exclusive generic launch, an amount that could easily reach a billion dollars for a product like generic Zocor .The branded-drugs giants argue that the proposed new legislation is misguided.
News & Media
Conversely, we project limited generic erosion for Advair from generics.
News & Media
In the early 2000s, pharmaceutical companies were high on activists' hit lists, prompted by Big Pharma's ill-advised attempt to sue the South African government for patent infringement on HIV drugs; an attempt to deal with the country's epidemic by allowing cheaper, generic copies to be sold.
News & Media
"Materials," it continues, "can vary from a more generic render (which can be plain or coloured to give variety), or locally found materials or bricks can be used".
News & Media
Many city tours are either generic, big-group walks – in which you are fed dry facts with no particular theme – or super-cheesy, "we're-not-like-the-other-tours" experiences, where you are guided by someone wearing a trilby and strumming a ukelele while telling tales of local cult legends.
News & Media
In addition to harming American workers, the TPP would increase the price of life-saving prescription drugs in poor countries by making it harder for them to obtain affordable generic drugs.
News & Media
The big things just weren't big enough to lure hungry travellers from the generic service stations and drive-through takeaway joints that dot the freeways today.
News & Media
After all, we know that as soon as conception happens, a woman stops being her own person but is instead generic "mum", and should be talked to accordingly.
News & Media
The only dry spices he includes are cardamom pods and white pepper, yet the results are richly complex and distinctively different, marking this out as a korma, rather than a generic mild curry.
News & Media
By focusing on the harrier we forgot about the generic landscape – what happens here and what's made the harrier come here in the first place.
News & Media
Bored by one-size-fits-all marketing campaigns which frequently fail for all but the most generic of Mother's Day X Factor releases.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When describing products, be precise: Use "unbranded" if you specifically mean lacking a brand name, rather than the more ambiguous "generic".
Common error
Avoid using "generic" when a more precise term like "general", "unbranded", or "standard" would better convey your intended meaning.
Source & Trust
94%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The word "generic" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a lack of specificity, distinctiveness, or branding. As Ludwig AI shows, it's often used in contexts related to products, drugs, or characteristics.
Frequent in
News & Media
67%
Formal & Business
25%
Science
8%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The word "generic" functions primarily as an adjective, indicating a lack of specificity, brand identity, or unique characteristics. It appears most frequently in news and media sources, with a neutral to formal register, according to Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct and very common, it's important to consider more precise alternatives like "general", "unbranded", or "standard" to enhance clarity. Ludwig's examples reveal its common usage in describing products, pharmaceuticals, and concepts lacking distinctive features, making it a versatile but potentially ambiguous term.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
general
This term conveys a lack of specific detail, similar to "generic" but with a slightly broader scope.
non-specific
This alternative directly indicates the absence of particular characteristics or details.
unbranded
Specifically refers to products lacking a brand name, aligning with one common meaning of "generic".
off-brand
Similar to "unbranded", emphasizing the absence of a well-known brand.
universal
Suggests applicability to all cases, sharing the broad applicability aspect of "generic".
common
Indicates widespread occurrence or applicability, reflecting the non-unique nature of something "generic".
basic
Implies a lack of embellishment or specialization, similar to the unrefined sense of "generic".
standard
Refers to something conforming to a norm, aligning with the non-distinctiveness of a "generic" item.
typical
Denotes conformity to a type, sharing the characteristic of lacking unique features with "generic".
plain
Indicates a lack of ornamentation or distinctive features, relating to the simple nature of something "generic".
FAQs
How is "generic" used in the pharmaceutical context?
In the pharmaceutical industry, "generic" refers to a medication that is equivalent to a brand-name drug in dosage, strength, route of administration, quality, performance and intended use, but is sold under a different name once the brand-name drug's patent expires.
What's the difference between "generic" and "general"?
"Generic" often implies a lack of branding or specificity in a commercial sense, while "general" refers to a broad, non-specific category or concept. For example, a "generic" brand of cereal versus a "general overview" of a topic.
How to avoid using "generic" in my writing?
Consider more specific terms depending on the context. Use "unbranded" for products without a brand, "general" for broad concepts, or "standard" for items conforming to a norm. This will make your writing more precise and engaging.
What are some synonyms for "generic" in describing a product?
Depending on the nuance you want to convey, alternatives include "unbranded", "store brand", "off-brand", or "no-name". These terms all emphasize the absence of a well-known brand identity.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
94%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested