is generally not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is generally not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is typically or usually not the case in a given context. Example: "This method is generally not recommended for beginners due to its complexity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is generally not an industrial hazard.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Parking on campus is generally not allowed.

Columbia University

Confrontation is generally not Mr. Parsons's style.

The New York Times

Leadership is generally not associated with women.

The Guardian - Opinion

Opt-out is generally not effective.

The New York Times

Maths is generally not considered fun.

The Guardian

"The nonsmoker is generally not a gamer".

The New York Times - Travel

Undocumented status is generally not asked about directly in surveys.

University of California, Berkeley

He is generally not in on Mon and Fri.

Cornell University

For this reason, one's complement is generally not used.

Stanford University

Instability in engineering is generally not a good thing.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is generally not", ensure the context provides sufficient nuance. While indicating a common exception, avoid overgeneralizations by acknowledging that exceptions exist.

Common error

Avoid using "is generally not" when a more precise qualifier is needed. Overusing it can dilute the statement's accuracy if the exceptions are significant or frequent. Instead, specify the conditions under which the statement holds true.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is generally not" functions as a qualifier, softening a statement to indicate that while something is not typically true or present, exceptions may exist. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a common construction in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

27%

Science

19%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is generally not" serves as a versatile qualifier, indicating that something is typically untrue or absent, while acknowledging potential exceptions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct and widely used. It's prevalent across diverse contexts, including news, academic writing, and general communication, making it suitable for various formality levels. When using "is generally not", consider the nuance you aim to convey and avoid overgeneralizations. Alternatives like "is usually not" or "is typically not" can offer similar meanings, while precise qualifiers might be necessary for greater accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is typically not

Replaces "generally" with "typically", indicating a common but not universal absence.

is usually not

Substitutes "generally" with "usually", conveying a sense of common but not invariable infrequency.

is not always

Focuses on the lack of universality, rather than typical absence.

does not generally

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the verb.

is mostly not

Replaces "generally" with "mostly", which suggests that something isn't in majority of cases.

is largely not

Replaces "generally" with "largely", indicating a significant portion is not the case.

is often not

Replaces "generally" with "often", suggesting the event or action is infrequent.

is seldom

Uses "seldom" to imply rarity or infrequency.

is rarely

Replaces the phrase with a single adverb to indicate infrequent occurrence.

tends not to be

Shifts the emphasis to a tendency rather than a definitive state.

FAQs

How can I use "is generally not" in a sentence?

Use "is generally not" to indicate that something is typically or usually untrue or absent. For example, "This method "is generally not" recommended for beginners."

What can I say instead of "is generally not"?

You can use alternatives like "is usually not", "is typically not", or "is not always" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "is generally not" the same as "is never"?

No, ""is generally not"" implies that something is usually not the case, but exceptions exist. "Is never" means something does not occur at any time or under any circumstances.

What's the difference between "is generally not" and "is specifically not"?

"Is generally not" suggests a common absence or untruth, whereas "is specifically not" indicates that something is definitely and intentionally not the case in a particular instance or context.