it was generally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was generally" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a common or widespread opinion, belief, or condition regarding a subject. Example: "It was generally accepted that the project would take longer than anticipated due to unforeseen challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was generally midnight.

The New York Times

"It was generally cold".

The New York Times

Or so it was generally believed.

The New York Times - Health

And it was generally an improvement.

The New York Times - Arts

It was generally used for figures.

Britannica

It was generally welcomed at the time.

The Guardian - Books

It was generally gripping, and frequently surprising.

The Guardian - Books

It was generally a warm local reception.

The New York Times

Only 15 percent said it was "generally good".

The New York Times

It was generally successful but not completely accurate.

Cornell University

It was generally observed that supersaturation was significantly reduced.

Minerals Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was generally", ensure the context clearly establishes what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example, instead of "It was generally believed", specify: "The theory was generally believed by scientists."

Common error

Avoid using "it was generally" without providing any supporting evidence or context. Overgeneralizing can weaken your argument and make your statement less credible. Instead, specify who held the belief or what supported the general consensus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was generally" functions as an introductory element to express a widespread belief, opinion, or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to indicate something that was widely accepted or observed. Examples in Ludwig show it setting the stage for statements about historical contexts or past observations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

22%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was generally" is a versatile and frequently used construction to introduce a statement about a widespread belief, condition, or opinion. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears most often in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, indicating its suitability for both neutral and formal communication. When using this phrase, it's important to provide sufficient context and avoid overgeneralization to maintain clarity and credibility. Consider alternatives like "it was commonly" or "it was widely" for nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was commonly

Replaces "generally" with "commonly", indicating widespread but not necessarily universal occurrence.

it was widely

Replaces "generally" with "widely", suggesting that something is known or accepted by many people.

it was typically

Substitutes "generally" with "typically", suggesting something that usually happens or is the norm.

it was normally

Replaces "generally" with "normally", indicating a usual or expected state of affairs.

it was usually

Uses "usually" instead of "generally", focusing on the frequency of an event or condition.

it was broadly

Uses "broadly" instead of "generally" to emphasize a wide or extensive agreement or understanding.

it was ordinarily

Substitutes "generally" with "ordinarily", indicating something that happens in the normal course of events.

it was for the most part

This phrase conveys a sense of something being true in most instances, similar to "generally".

it was by and large

Uses the idiomatic phrase "by and large" to convey a similar meaning of general agreement or overall condition.

it was on the whole

This alternative suggests a global consideration instead of focusing in details.

FAQs

What does "it was generally" mean?

The phrase "it was generally" means that something was widely or commonly the case, but not necessarily universally so. It suggests a prevailing opinion, condition, or practice.

What can I say instead of "it was generally"?

You can use alternatives like "it was commonly", "it was typically", or "it was widely" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was generally believed" the same as "it is generally believed"?

No, "it was generally believed" refers to a belief that was common in the past, while "it is generally believed" refers to a current common belief.

How to use "it was generally" in a sentence?

You can use "it was generally" to introduce a statement about a widespread condition or opinion. For example: "It was generally agreed that the project needed more funding."