in the general case

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the general case" is a commonly used phrase in written English.
You would use this phrase when you are making a general statement or point that applies to the majority of cases, or when you are making an inference based on an overall pattern. For example, "While it's not always the case, in the general case, younger people tend to be more tech-savvy than older people."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This pattern can be shown to hold in the general case – but with much work.

The New York Times

In the general case (for s ≥ 2).

Journal of Cheminformatics

Admittedly, Bayesian updating in the general case is computationally intractable.

SEP

In the general case, fracture closure is analyzed numerically.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

In the general case, numerical solutions are derived.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

In the general case these do not hold.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

A numerical investigation is carried out in the general case.

Chemical Engineering Science

In the general case the proof is the same.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

Condition S is difficult to check in the general case.

Boundary Value Problems

In the general case, numerical approximations are necessary.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

We will not do it in the general case.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the general case" to introduce a principle or pattern that holds true most of the time, but acknowledge that exceptions may exist. This adds nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "in the general case" as an absolute statement. Always consider and, if necessary, mention potential exceptions or limitations to the rule you are presenting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the general case" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a clause or sentence, indicating that the statement being made is generally true but might have exceptions. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase introduces a broad observation or rule.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

80%

News & Media

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the general case" serves as a qualifier, indicating that a statement is broadly true but may have exceptions. Ludwig's examples confirm its common use in scientific and academic contexts. Alternatives include "generally speaking" and "typically". Remember to use this phrase when presenting principles that generally hold true, and acknowledge potential limitations to avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally speaking

Directly indicates a broad statement, closely related to the query.

as a rule

Implies a standard or typical condition, similar to the query's generality.

for the most part

Indicates that something is mainly true, aligning with the query's sense.

typically

Focuses on what usually happens, rather than a specific scenario.

usually

Highlights the common occurrence of something, similar to "in the general case".

by and large

Implies that something is generally true despite minor exceptions.

ordinarily

Suggests a normal or expected course of events, paralleling the general context.

on the whole

Emphasizes overall trends or patterns, comparable to the query's broad application.

in most instances

Focuses on the frequency of occurrence, aligning to the query's general application.

under normal circumstances

Specifies typical conditions, similar to the query's broad context.

FAQs

How can I use "in the general case" in a sentence?

You can use "in the general case" to introduce a statement that is usually true, but not always. For example, "In the general case, younger people are more comfortable with technology than older generations."

What's a good alternative to "in the general case"?

Alternatives include "generally speaking", "typically", or "as a rule" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "in most general cases"?

Yes, saying "in most general cases" is generally redundant. The phrase "in the general case" already implies a broad application, so adding "most" is unnecessary.

How does "in the general case" differ from "specifically"?

"In the general case" introduces a broad statement, while "specifically" introduces a detailed example or exception to a general rule. They serve opposite purposes in writing.