more general sense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more general sense" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing broader interpretations or meanings of a concept. For example, "In a more general sense, the term can refer to various situations." Alternative expressions include "broader sense," "wider sense," and "more inclusive sense."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They correspond to the dissipation in the flow field or, in a more general sense, to the entropy generation due to the conduit component under consideration.

Chemical Engineering Science

Finally, we recall that the concept of metric space has been generalized in many directions to include measurements in a much more general sense.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Timing was also a factor in a more general sense.

The New York Times

But in a more general sense, I feel sympathetic to the art of all times.

The New York Times

But the word is sometimes used in a more general sense.

The New Yorker

In a more general sense, it implies a study of transformations of energy.

The New York Times

In a more general sense, the net can help them feel "connected" to wider society.

The Guardian - Tech

The terms benign and malignant, most often used to describe tumours, can be used in a more general sense.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And in a more general sense, what is the importance of chivalry in inventing and modifying a social class?

University of Pennsylvania

Sometimes "Gilead" is used in a more general sense for all the region east of the Jordan River.

Britannica

In a more general sense, President Bush should be commended for nominating someone with so substantial a judicial record.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place the phrase at the beginning of a sentence (e.g., "In a more general sense, ...") to signal a shift in the level of abstraction.

Common error

Avoid using "more general sense" when the context is already broad; saying "In a general sense" is often sufficient. Furthermore, ensure the phrase modifies the entire concept rather than a single noun, which can lead to ambiguity about what exactly is being generalized.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more general sense" typically functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase fragment, usually preceded by "in a". In the examples provided by Ludwig, it serves as a linguistic bridge that allows a writer to transition from a narrow, technical, or specific application of a word to a broader, conceptual one.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more general sense" is a vital tool for writers who need to navigate between specialized jargon and universal concepts. According to Ludwig AI, this expression is deeply embedded in Formal and Scientific registers, serving as a reliable transition for clarifying complex ideas. Whether used in The New York Times to discuss cultural shifts or in ScienceDirect to expand upon thermodynamic principles, it maintains a high degree of clarity and authority. When using it, ensure the transition from the specific to the general is logical and adds value to the reader's understanding. It is a perfectly correct and highly recommended phrase for professional and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broader sense

Often used as a direct synonym to imply a wider scope of definition

wider sense

Emphasizes the expansive nature of the interpretation

more inclusive sense

Focuses on the variety of elements that are brought under the term's umbrella

generic sense

Suggests a standard or non-specialized version of a term

more holistic sense

Implies looking at the subject as a whole rather than its parts

loose sense

Indicates an informal or less rigorous application of a concept

abstract sense

Focuses on the conceptual or theoretical level rather than the concrete

comprehensive sense

Suggests the definition covers all possible aspects of the subject

extended meaning

Implies that the word is being stretched beyond its primary definition

overall perspective

Shifts the focus from the definition itself to the way the subject is viewed

FAQs

How do I use "more general sense" in a sentence?

You can use it to expand a definition. For example: "While the term refers to heat in physics, in a "more general sense" it implies any transformation of energy."

What is the difference between "more general sense" and "broader sense"?

They are largely interchangeable. However, a "broader sense" often emphasizes scope, while a "more general sense" emphasizes abstraction from a specific case.

Is "more general sense" considered formal?

Yes, it is highly formal and frequently appears in academic journals, encyclopedias, and high-quality journalism. You can also use "wider sense" as a formal alternative.

Can I say "in a more generalized sense" instead?

Yes, "more generalized sense" is correct, but it is less common and sounds slightly more technical than the standard phrase.