it is generally the case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is generally the case" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is true in most situations or for most people, but not necessarily in every instance. Example: "While there are exceptions, it is generally the case that exercise improves mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

It is generally the case with figures of authority that when the masses start laughing at you, you are through.

The Economist

IT is generally the case in Britain that theater directors make their names in the classics or, with increasing regularity these days, shift their focus to the screen.

The New York Times

Although many of these fees are optional, it is generally the case that the services provided through these fees are necessary for a successful and healthy collegiate experience.

The New York Times

It is generally the case for off-road vehicles as adherence conditions are often not satisfactory and sliding can then cease to be negligible.

European Journal of Control

Still, it is generally the case that no amount of wrongdoing by athletes will force them to forfeit the money they were paid by sponsors.

The New York Times

With regard, on the other hand, to those things which are present in a subject, it is generally the case that neither their name nor their definition is predicable of that in which they are present.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

It's generally the case that once a hacker has access to it, the rest of the game is largely reverse-engineering what signals are sent when.

The Guardian - Tech

For me, it's generally the case that an idea for a cartoon springs from a tiny germ that I keep adding to until it builds into something that slowly begins to make a semblance of sense.

The New Yorker

"In 40 years of covering elections in Fermanagh/South Tyrone, it's generally the case that voting goes along religious lines, either pro the union or against," he says.

The Guardian

For all three hospitals, it was generally the case that, although the documents regarding the implementation of the Essential Medicines System had been put forward by the government, no further specific implementation regulations or instructions were subsequently formulated, which consequently resulted in the hospitals making their own explorative attempts.

BMC Health Services Research

Although the relationship between perceived difficulty and appropriateness was not explicitly assessed in the four studies which assessed perceived difficulty, the results provide some support for there being a negative relationship: where decision difficulty was greater, it was generally the case that fewer appropriate decisions were made [ 16, 17, 19, 20].

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is generally the case" to introduce statements that hold true in most, but not all, situations. This helps avoid overgeneralizations and acknowledges potential exceptions.

Common error

Avoid using "it is generally the case" when you have specific data or evidence that suggests a near-universal truth. In such instances, a more direct statement would be more appropriate and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is generally the case" functions as an introductory expression to signal a statement that is typically or commonly true. As confirmed by Ludwig, it introduces generalizations with the understanding that there may be exceptions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is generally the case" serves as a versatile phrase for introducing statements that are typically true, although not universally so. Ludwig's analysis highlights its prevalence in scientific, news, and academic contexts, emphasizing its role in making qualified generalizations. Given that, as Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is indeed correct and usable in written English, writers can confidently employ it to add nuance to their statements, acknowledging potential exceptions while conveying a sense of typicality. Remember to avoid overstating the generality and consider direct statements when the truth is near-universal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is usually the situation

Replaces 'generally the case' with 'usually the situation', emphasizing a common circumstance.

it is typically the situation

Substitutes 'generally' with 'typically', highlighting a standard or expected scenario.

it is often the situation

Changes 'generally' to 'often', indicating a frequent but not necessarily universal occurrence.

it is largely true that

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct statement of widespread truth.

it is broadly accepted that

Focuses on the acceptance of a statement rather than the frequency of an event.

it is widely known that

Shifts the emphasis to common knowledge or awareness of a fact.

it is a common occurrence that

Emphasizes the frequency of an event happening.

it is a standard practice that

Highlights an established or customary way of doing something.

as a rule

Offers a concise alternative, implying that something is typically true.

more often than not

Indicates that something happens more frequently than it does not.

FAQs

How can I use "it is generally the case" in a sentence?

Use "it is generally the case" to introduce a statement that's typically true, but might have exceptions. For example, "It is generally the case that students perform better when they attend classes regularly".

What phrases are similar to "it is generally the case"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it is usually the case", "it is typically the case", or "more often than not".

Is "it is generally the case" formal or informal?

"It is generally the case" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts. More informal options could be phrases like "usually" or "typically" depending on the specific context.

When should I avoid using "it is generally the case"?

Avoid using "it is generally the case" if you have precise data indicating a near-universal truth, or when a more direct and concise statement would be clearer and more impactful.