globally speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

"globally speaking" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to refer to something that is generally true or applicable in most places in the world. For example, "Globally speaking, many people are living with limited access to resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

The period 1988 to 2011, as gleaned from household surveys, has been a period of almost uninterrupted growth, globally speaking, but with a very interesting and important twist: the global median income has been rising at a faster rate than the global mean income.

Huffington Post

THESE still are early days for the Internet, globally speaking.

The New York Times

But they may actually be getting a pretty good deal — globally speaking.

The New York Times - Tech

Mr. Humm: First, T-Mobile has AWS as a band, globally speaking a very specific band.

The New York Times

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS -- What if, globally speaking, the iPad is not the next big thing?

The New York Times

But that doesn't mean that the future for the sport globally speaking is bleak.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Globally spoken, California holds a leading position among the most sustainable agricultural producing countries: Warner (2007) describes the efforts spent by the Californian wine grape industry for reaching and educating growers about quality issues and sustainability; the availability of place-based networks of production has facilitated social learning among grape growers.

Agricultural and Food Economics

"Not everybody doing business internationally or globally speaks English," Hueso said.

Los Angeles Times

I truly believe at this moment if we all put our best foot forward collectively, I think we can take a pretty dominant stance, globally-speaking.

Vice

Estafamos, a human rights activist, travels globally to speak before international and government institutions, seeking policy changes to end the ongoing nightmare of trafficking and torture of Eritrean refugees.

Huffington Post

"I am a retired boxer that earns an unprecedented amount of money, globally, for appearances, speaking engagements and occasional small exhibitions," he said.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "globally speaking" to introduce a statement that is generally true across the world, acknowledging potential regional variations. It adds a nuance that prevents overly generalizing specific regional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "globally speaking" when the statement primarily applies to Western countries. This can exclude important realities or situations in other regions. Ensure your statement genuinely reflects a worldwide view before using the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "globally speaking" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause or sentence to indicate that the statement being made is generally true or applicable worldwide. This is supported by Ludwig, which highlights its usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

30%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "globally speaking" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to introduce statements that are generally true worldwide. As indicated by Ludwig, it enjoys widespread use in diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While grammatically correct and frequently employed, it's essential to ensure the statement truly reflects a global perspective to avoid overgeneralization. Alternative phrases like "generally speaking" or "worldwide" can offer similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis. The Ludwig examples underscore its adaptability and the importance of context-aware usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally speaking

Similar but can apply to less broad contexts than the entire world.

worldwide

Directly states a global scope without softening it with "speaking".

on a global scale

Emphasizes the size and impact being considered, more formal.

taking a global view

Emphasizes the act of considering something from a worldwide perspective.

in general terms

Focuses on generality rather than a worldwide scope, suggesting a less broad application.

from a global viewpoint

Focuses on a specific perspective rather than a general truth.

from an international perspective

Highlights differing viewpoints across nations, emphasizing a contrast of cultures or viewpoints.

by and large

Indicates something is generally true but not necessarily globally.

in most countries

More specific and less encompassing, implying exceptions may exist.

in broad terms

Simpler and focuses on avoiding detail rather than a global view.

FAQs

How can I use "globally speaking" in a sentence?

Use "globally speaking" to preface a statement that represents a general truth or trend across the world. For example, "Globally speaking, there's increasing awareness of environmental issues."

What's a good alternative to "globally speaking"?

Alternatives include "generally speaking", "worldwide", or "on a global scale", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is "globally speaking" formal or informal?

"Globally speaking" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It provides a balanced way to introduce a general observation about the world.

When should I avoid using "globally speaking"?

Avoid using "globally speaking" if the statement is only relevant to specific regions or cultures. It is best used when the information is broadly applicable and not misleading when applied to the entire world.