in general lines

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in general lines" is correct and can be used in written English.
It typically indicates an overall summary or outline of something, usually in broad strokes. For example: "In general lines, the book can be summarized as a story of a young girl's fight against an oppressive society."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In general lines, these can be divided into rules that regulate the game and rules that oversee the administrative workings of the clubs.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

In general, lines originating from the same geographic region tended to cluster together in the genetic phenogram.

Plosone

In general, lines with the highest erbB2 expression showed the highest levels of erbB3 protein.

Breast Cancer Research

In general, LINEs of insects, especially silkworm, have a much higher GC content than those of mammals (Fig. 3).

BMC Genomics

In general lines, the algorithm discriminates a minimal set of envirome correlated EFM that maximise the variance of measured flux data.

BMC Systems Biology

In general, lines with deletion of the yellow promoter showed darker eye pigmentation (cf. Figures  1B and 2C), providing indirect evidence for the ability of the yellow promoter to partially insulate the eye enhancer.

Epigenetics and Chromatin

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Would Marvel fans and cinema audiences in general line up for the film?

The Guardian - Film

In general, line-of-sight is one key for a high message reception probability.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In general, line B showed higher mRNA level of gene expression than line A in both infected and non-infected cells.

BMC Genomics

Also in general, line up Big Smoke with the gang member he's shooting.

WikiHow

In general, line the body cavities with cut off pantyhose and fill with beads or other filler to weight the body and head.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in general lines", ensure the context is broad enough to warrant a generalization. It's most effective when summarizing complex topics or providing an overview before delving into specifics.

Common error

Avoid using "in general lines" when discussing highly specific or technical details. This phrase is best suited for providing a broad understanding, not minute particulars.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in general lines" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause or sentence to indicate that what follows is a summary or overview. Ludwig examples showcase its use in academic and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in general lines" is a grammatically correct way to introduce a broad overview or summary, as confirmed by Ludwig. While its occurrence is rare, it finds use across different contexts, particularly in science, news, and general discussions. It is best suited for situations where a high-level understanding is needed, rather than precise details. When a more detailed analysis is required it is better to look for alternatives, like "broadly speaking" or "in broad terms".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in broad terms

This option is very close in meaning and emphasizes the use of general language.

generally speaking

Similar in meaning, but with a slightly more conversational tone.

broadly speaking

This alternative provides a slightly more concise way to indicate a general overview.

in a general way

This option keeps the core words but rephrases it for slightly different emphasis.

on the whole

This alternative suggests a general assessment or summary.

by and large

This suggests a broad generalization based on most cases.

in summary

This is a more direct way to introduce a concise overview.

to summarize

Similar to "in summary", but phrased as an action.

in outline

Focuses on providing the basic structure or plan.

in essence

Highlights the fundamental nature or core idea.

FAQs

How can I use "in general lines" in a sentence?

You can use "in general lines" to introduce a broad summary or overview of a topic. For example, "In general lines, the project aims to improve efficiency and reduce costs."

What phrases are similar to "in general lines"?

Alternatives include "broadly speaking", "in broad terms", or "generally speaking". These all convey a similar sense of providing a general overview.

Is "in general lines" formal or informal?

The phrase "in general lines" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is most effective in situations where a broad overview is required rather than highly detailed analysis.

When is it inappropriate to use "in general lines"?

It's less appropriate to use "in general lines" when discussing precise details or technical specifications. In such cases, more specific language is preferable.