my general impression

USAGE SUMMARY

"my general impression" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are expressing your overall opinion on something. For example: "My general impression is that this movie was quite enjoyable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

That is my general impression".

The Guardian

Despite my special treatment, my general impression was that that parliament is not used to the public showing up.

The Guardian

My general impression is that the people making the decisions are trying to copy some European practices like bike rental, parks, etc, but the general success is limited.

The Guardian

I have stated my general impression that the company is on the way up since the doldrums it hit between 1991 and 2002.

The New York Times - Arts

This is consonant with my general impression of the governor: not stubbornly ideological and, in the Texas tradition, inclined to just do something rather than have a bunch of advisory hearings about it.

The Economist

"My general impression is that 'Wild,' so far at least, is translating into people doing more weeklong backpacking trips and weekend backpacking trips," he said in an e-mail.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"My general impressions of Silicon Valley and California, in general, is that Libertarian-style Republicans would do better out here, and that Bush Republicans haven't been doing well out here in a long time," the Senate's uber-Libertarian, Rand Paul tells me, during his check-cashing good-will tour to Silicon Valley.

TechCrunch

My early general impression of "The Prince of Egypt" is that this is a serious work, a film of integrity, and an attempt to make a real movie in animation.

The New York Times

In his great work, the History of the Peloponnesian War, which describes the destructive conflict (431 404 bce) between Athens and Sparta, Thucydides aimed "not to write down the first story that came my way, and not even to be guided by my own general impressions".

Encyclopedia Britannica

And I think you know that I've opposed the death penalty during all of my life" — confirmed the general impression that he was a soulless technocrat, and his own staff's suspicion that he wasn't up to the task of getting voters to warm to him.

The New Yorker

If that is the way they are "generally regarded" then the general impression is wrong.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "my general impression" to introduce a summary of your observations or feelings about a situation, especially when you want to convey a sense of overall understanding without going into specific details.

Common error

Avoid using "my general impression" when you need to present definitive facts or conclusions. This phrase indicates a subjective viewpoint, not established truth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my general impression" functions as an introductory phrase to express a subjective viewpoint or overall assessment. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it prefaces an opinion derived from observation or experience. The Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable to express an overall opinion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "my general impression" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a subjective viewpoint or overall assessment. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. As Ludwig's examples show, it appears most frequently in News & Media, but also holds relevance in Academia and Science. While it is a common phrase, remember it signals an opinion, not a definitive fact. Consider alternative phrases like "my overall assessment" or "my considered opinion" for more formal settings. Use it to convey a sense of understanding derived from observation or feeling, setting the stage for your personal evaluation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my overall assessment

Focuses on a comprehensive evaluation rather than a gut feeling.

my considered opinion

Emphasizes a thoughtful and deliberate judgment.

my preliminary assessment

Indicates an initial judgment that might change with more information.

my gut feeling

Implies an intuitive understanding rather than a reasoned conclusion.

my understanding is

Highlights comprehension and interpretation.

my estimation is

Emphasizes a calculated or approximate judgment.

from my perspective

Highlights a viewpoint that may be subjective and influenced by personal experiences.

in my view

Directly states a personal opinion or belief.

it seems to me

Expresses a tentative or qualified observation.

I gather that

Implies information has been collected from various sources and synthesized into a general understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "my general impression" in a sentence?

You can use "my general impression" to introduce your overall understanding or feeling about something, as in "My general impression is that the project is progressing well".

What's a more formal alternative to "my general impression"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "my overall assessment" or "my considered opinion".

Is it appropriate to use "my general impression" in academic writing?

While acceptable, using phrases like "my understanding is" or "it appears that" might be more suitable for academic contexts, as they emphasize objectivity.

How does "my general impression" differ from "my specific observation"?

"My general impression" summarizes an overall feeling, while "my specific observation" refers to a particular detail you noticed. For example, you might say, "My general impression is positive, but my specific observation is that the introduction needs more work".