of a general character

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of a general character" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a vague, broad concept or idea. For example, "The author's writing has a certain quality of a general character that is hard to explain."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

With the consideration of the non-uniformity of the catalyst surface developed in this model one can adjust perfectly well the data of deactivation of commercial catalysts in the cracking of gas oils and the empirical correlation of a general character proposed by Pacheco and Petersen (1984a, J. Catalysis86, 75) for a large variety of processes and catalysts.

Chemical Engineering Science

In 1918 the Haldane Report into the machinery of government recommended, partly inspired by the example of the Medical Research Committee, that funding decisions about research "of a general character" be kept at arms-length from the big sectoral ministries (which should however continue to fund research to support their own needs and policy goals).

The Guardian

For example, a Jewish-Canadian may lead most of his life within institutions of a general character, such as governments, companies, banks, hospitals and the like.

Forbes

"His was not a textbook Marxism but a Marxism of a general character," Wald wrote in an introduction to the book.

Los Angeles Times

The essential idea behind this concept is that self-efficacy can be of a general character or a universal construct [ 15], and can be used in a wide range of situations.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Think of a general character personality in which you would enjoy getting involved.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

When considering the question of "foreseeability", the key inquiry is whether the injury is of such a general character that it might reasonably have been anticipated; the particular accident need not be foreseen.

Harvard University

The particular accident need not be foreseen, but the injury must be of such a general character as might reasonably have been anticipated.

Harvard University

Note that while the phrase "weakness of will" might suggest a general character trait, contemporary philosophers have generally concentrated on weak-willed action, that is, on individual actions performed against the agent's better judgment.

SEP

In the work on view, the semiotics of expression appear to be a general character of formlessness, a Dionysian refusal to stay within the lines physically and metaphorically.

HuffPost

I do not insist that downgrading of used materials is a general character.

Journal of Economic Structures

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of a general character" to describe concepts, qualities, or trends that lack specific details or are applicable across various situations. This phrase is suitable for academic writing, formal reports, and analytical discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "of a general character" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "generally" or "in general" are often more appropriate and sound less stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of a general character" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, adding information about its nature. It indicates that the noun lacks specific or detailed attributes. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct. Many examples in Ludwig illustrates this function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

Academia

20%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of a general character" functions as a prepositional phrase used to describe something lacking specific details, often in formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Its primary usage is in scientific, academic and news-related sources, reflecting a preference for precise language. While useful for providing broad overviews, remember to balance it with specific details for clarity. Alternatives like "in general terms" may be more appropriate in informal settings. Remember not to overuse it in casual conversations, which could sound stilted. The phrase can serve to open a topic broadly ahead of specific analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a general way

This alternative emphasizes the lack of specificity.

in general terms

This alternative emphasizes discussing something without specific details.

in a broad sense

This alternative focuses on the breadth of the concept.

generally speaking

This implies a statement that is true in most cases, but not necessarily in every instance.

of a broad nature

This alternative stresses the expansive quality.

of a non-specific nature

This alternative highlights the absence of particular details.

in a non-detailed manner

This highlights the absence of thoroughness or precision.

in broad strokes

This alternative focuses on providing an overview without details.

of a universal quality

This emphasizes the widespread applicability of the characteristic.

of a typical kind

This denotes something ordinary or representative.

FAQs

How can I use "of a general character" in a sentence?

You can use "of a general character" to describe something that is not specific or detailed. For example, "The research findings were of a general character, lacking specific data points."

What's the difference between "of a general character" and "in general"?

"Of a general character" is more formal and often used in academic or technical writing, while "in general" is more common in everyday conversation.

What can I say instead of "of a general character"?

Alternatives include "in general terms", "broadly speaking", or "in a general way", depending on the context.

Is it better to be specific or use a phrase like "of a general character" in academic writing?

While specificity is often valued, "of a general character" can be useful when summarizing broad trends or establishing a general context before delving into specific details. However, ensure you balance general statements with concrete evidence.