in overall terms

USAGE SUMMARY

"in overall terms" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to the totality of a situation, and often implies a broad, general overview. For example, "In overall terms, the experience was very positive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

The Tour is slower in overall terms this year, probably because fewer people are doping.

The Guardian - Sport

Its economic success was never built upon having more people or resources than other countries, in overall terms.

The Economist

Its two big pop radio stations, Radio 1 and Radio 2, will be trimmed only slightly in overall terms.

The Economist

But in overall terms, there are signs of recovery throughout the world and the demand for top-quality thoroughbreds remains remarkably resilient".

The Guardian - Sport

But in overall terms the government believes that the report confirms we were right to be worried about Iran seeking to develop nuclear weapons".

The Guardian

Although Netto should do this for them, whether it will be enough to reverse the grocer's sliding sales and profits, in overall terms, is another question.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

But in overall budget terms, it is not big enough.

The New York Times

At the same time, there was a fall of 1% in overall long-term youth unemployment and a 2% fall among young white people.

The Guardian

This implies a slight degradation in overall performance, in terms of both throughput and latency.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

These investments have prevented collapse and have yielded gains in overall performance in terms of commodity availability.

Global health, science and practice

There was no significant difference in overall survival in terms of sex (male/female), white cell count (<11/⩾11 × 10 l−1) and lymphocytes (<3/⩾3 × 10 l−10.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in overall terms" to provide a broad assessment or summary after considering various aspects of a situation. This helps to convey a general understanding without getting bogged down in specifics.

Common error

Avoid using "in overall terms" when specific details are needed or when precise data is available. Overusing this phrase can make your analysis seem vague and lacking in depth. Use more specific language when possible.

Linguistic Context

In overall terms functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a statement, providing a general or summarized perspective. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to offer a broad assessment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in overall terms" is a versatile tool for providing a general summary or assessment, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While it offers a broad perspective, it's important to avoid overgeneralization and use more specific language when detailed information is needed. Alternatives such as "generally speaking" or "on the whole" can be used for similar effect. When using it make sure you are not losing important details and you are just providing a high level view of the topic in question.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally speaking

Focuses on expressing a general truth or common viewpoint.

in general

Emphasizes a broad application without specific details.

on the whole

Highlights a comprehensive assessment considering all aspects.

by and large

Indicates a predominantly true or valid statement.

all in all

Signals a concluding summary after considering different factors.

in summary

Introduces a concise recap of main points.

in the aggregate

Refers to a combined total or collective assessment.

taking everything into account

Highlights the consideration of all relevant factors.

considering the bigger picture

Shifts focus to a broader, more comprehensive viewpoint.

from a bird's-eye view

Offers a high-level perspective, overlooking minor details.

FAQs

How can I use "in overall terms" in a sentence?

You can use "in overall terms" to provide a general assessment or summary. For example, "In overall terms, the project was a success, despite some minor setbacks."

What phrases are similar to "in overall terms"?

Similar phrases include "generally speaking", "in general", and "on the whole", all of which suggest a broad perspective.

Is it appropriate to use "in overall terms" in formal writing?

Yes, "in overall terms" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when summarizing complex information or providing a general overview. However, ensure the context warrants a broad assessment rather than specific details.

How does "in overall terms" differ from "in detail"?

"In overall terms" provides a general summary or assessment, while "in detail" focuses on specific aspects and thorough examination of the subject matter.