it generally was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it generally was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was typically or usually the case in the past. Example: "In the early days of the internet, it generally was difficult to find reliable information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It generally was held that the first arrivals to Ireland were Mesolithic hunter-fisher people, represented largely by flintwork found mainly in ancient beaches in the historic counties of Antrim, Down, Louth, and Dublin.

Britannica

From about 1900, it generally was accepted that the head of the gulf once extended as far north as Baghdad and had been pushed back to its present limits by silting over the course of millennia.

Britannica

If there was deviation from this line of speculation, it generally was that the killer or killers might be Arab terrorists, a view bolstered by a report that an "olive-skinned" man was seen fleeing the scene of one shooting.

The New York Times

In 1979, when the Supreme Court distinguished between the numbers dialed and conversations made on a phone, it generally was not; it was just lists of numbers dialled in and out.

The Economist

Annual crop plots had a low tree density (of trees >10 cm DBH) (6 per ha), but since it generally was the most abundant land use type altogether, many tree species were still found there (4 29 per transect in the different landscapes).

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

Depletion of groundwater from unregulated pumping caused many of the wells to dry up, and, when water was present, it generally was fouled by garbage or was overgrown with vegetation from lack of attention, even when temple wells were still being actively used.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It generally is.

The New Yorker

Public opinion was also a factor, as it generally is.

The New York Times

It generally is resident, although there may be local movements in response to rains (Cleere 1998).

Cornell University

It generally is. Louis Menand, a staff writer since 2001, was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2016.

The New Yorker

And it generally isn't about money.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it generally was", ensure the context clearly establishes the time frame you're referring to. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures your reader understands the scope of the generalization.

Common error

Avoid using "it generally was" when you lack sufficient evidence to support the claim. Overgeneralizing can lead to inaccurate statements and weaken your argument. Instead, qualify the statement with phrases like "in some cases" or "for many" if the generalization doesn't apply universally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it generally was" functions as an introductory clause modifier, setting the stage for a generalization about a past state or situation. It indicates that what follows was typically the case, as evidenced by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it generally was" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce generalizations about past situations. Ludwig's analysis indicates it is most commonly found in news, encyclopedias and scientific contexts. While there are various alternatives like "it typically was" or "it usually was", the choice depends on the desired nuance. As Ludwig AI underlines, the key is to ensure clear contextual framing and avoid overgeneralization when employing this phrase. Use it to set the scene and create common understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it typically was

Replaces "generally" with "typically", offering a synonym that emphasizes the usual nature of the situation.

it usually was

Substitutes "generally" with "usually", providing a common and straightforward alternative.

it commonly was

Replaces "generally" with "commonly", highlighting how frequently something occurred.

it often was

Substitutes "generally" with "often", suggesting that something happened frequently, though not necessarily all the time.

it tended to be

Shifts the structure to emphasize a tendency rather than a general rule.

it had been generally

Changes the tense to past perfect, emphasizing that the situation was generally true up to a certain point in the past.

the general rule was

Restructures the phrase to focus on the existence of a general rule, instead of a general state.

as a general rule, it was

Inverts the phrase, placing "as a general rule" at the beginning for emphasis.

in general, it was

Uses "in general" as an introductory phrase, which modifies the focus slightly.

it was the norm

Expresses that something was standard or typical, rather than just general.

FAQs

How can I use "it generally was" in a sentence?

You can use "it generally was" to describe a past situation that was typically or usually the case. For instance, "Before the internet, "it generally was" more difficult to access information quickly".

What are some alternatives to "it generally was"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it typically was", "it usually was", or "in general it was", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it generally was" formal or informal?

"It generally was" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but in more formal writing, consider using "it typically was" or a similar phrase for a slightly more polished tone.

What's the difference between "it generally was" and "it was generally"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "it generally was" emphasizes that the 'was' part (the state or condition) is the general aspect, whereas "it was generally" puts the emphasis on the 'generally' part, as in "it was generally accepted".