good thing overall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "good thing overall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to summarize a positive assessment of a situation or outcome, indicating that despite any negatives, the overall impression is favorable. Example: "While there were some challenges during the project, the successful launch was a good thing overall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But is homeownership a good thing overall?

The Economist

This may be a good thing overall.

The Guardian - Opinion

That would be a bad thing for taxpayers, but a good thing overall.

The Economist

This is a good thing overall; but it is insufficiently coordinated and is yet to be accompanied by sufficient measures to offset the reluctance of banks to lend to the real economy.

The New York Times

This sounds like bad news for the other animals, but the drongos may be a good thing overall.

BBC

Microsoft's continued commitment to Mac users is a good thing overall, since it means more platform choice for those who have need of Office software.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Added Rachel Sheffield of the conservative Heritage Foundation: "It's definitely a good thing that overall mispayments and fraud have declined".

Huffington Post

It doesn't help if large companies do one or two good things but overall their impact is negative.

The Guardian

"Widnes showed some signs that they can do good things but overall our defence was good and they couldn't get as far forward as they would have wanted to as we held them in the middle pretty well".

BBC

Just one in six believed that immigration was a good thing for Britain overall, according to the research commissioned by the former Conservative party deputy chairman Lord Ashcroft.

Independent

Oddly, that could be a good thing for the overall U.S. economy.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "good thing overall", ensure that the context acknowledges potential drawbacks or complexities, demonstrating a balanced perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "good thing overall" without acknowledging potential negative consequences or complexities. A balanced perspective strengthens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good thing overall" functions as a subjective assessment, indicating a generally favorable view despite possible minor drawbacks. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "good thing overall" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for conveying a generally positive assessment, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not overly formal, it serves to indicate that a situation or outcome is considered beneficial despite potential drawbacks. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, but also occurs in science. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "net positive" or "largely beneficial" may be more appropriate. When using this phrase, it's best practice to acknowledge potential complexities to show a balanced view. The frequency of the phrase can be considered uncommon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally positive

Focuses on the positive aspect being the prevailing one.

largely beneficial

Highlights the benefit as the main attribute.

positive development on the whole

Emphasizes the idea of progress and advancement.

net positive

Focuses on the final balance being favorable.

constructive in general

Highlights the contribution to improvement.

advantageous as a whole

Stresses the benefits when considering all aspects.

on balance, a plus

Uses the idiom 'on balance' to denote a final assessment.

ultimately favorable

Focuses on the final result as being positive.

a boon in the long run

Highlights the long-term benefit.

in the grand scheme of things, positive

Considers the broader context.

FAQs

How can I use "good thing overall" in a sentence?

Use "good thing overall" to express a generally positive assessment despite possible minor drawbacks. For example, "The new policy has challenges, but it's a "good thing overall" because it reduces waste."

What's an alternative to saying "good thing overall"?

Alternatives include "generally positive", "largely beneficial", or "positive development on the whole", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "good thing overall" in formal writing?

While acceptable, in very formal contexts, consider alternatives like "net positive" or "constructive in general" for a more professional tone.

What does "good thing overall" imply?

It implies that, despite any minor negatives or challenges, the outcome or situation is generally beneficial or positive when all factors are considered.