on a general basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on a general basis" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that generally happens or is generally true. For example, "On a general basis, tropical climates have higher average temperatures than temperate climates."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Students in the micro-flipped classroom were more likely to ask questions on a general basis.

Smart Learning Environments

For the remaining countries, on a general basis inflation has come down from high numbers in the 70s, 80s and 90s to more moderate rates in the present decade.

Latin American Economic Review

Although Darwin understood natural selection on a general basis, defining it as the "preservation of favourable variations, and the rejection of injurious variations" (1859), he did not know how it actually operated because genetics was unknown at the time.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

In order to alleviate any concerns you may have about the proposed starting date for these discussions, I would be pleased to meet with you privately as soon as possible to talk on a general basis.

Forbes

On a general basis, 56percentt of Americans believe that white people benefit "a great deal" from privilege.

Vice

Why? Because, on a general basis, we complain because of our attitude, not necessarily in response to reality.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The lessons include both videos and activities for students to complete, and provides a general basis on which to build.

TechCrunch

Well, rather than offering a commentary on the market, I thought I might be most helpful by talking about how to figure things like this out on a more general basis.

The New York Times

On a more general basis, however, she told Forbes.com that Swiss Re was "definitely" open to acquisitions.

Forbes

This work proposes new empirical entrainment design formulae that have been developed on a more general basis compared to existing methods.

Fire Safety Journal

On a more general basis, our results highlight that the aggregate preferences and behaviors of large numbers of people can nowadays be observed in real time, or even forecasted, through open source data freely available in the web.

EPJ Data Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on a general basis" when you want to convey that something is typically true or happens in most situations, but be aware that it can sometimes sound a bit formal. Consider using shorter alternatives like "in general" for a more conversational tone.

Common error

Avoid using "on a general basis" in very informal settings where it might sound stilted or unnatural. Opt for simpler expressions like "usually" or "generally" instead to maintain a more relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a general basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the scope or generality of an action or statement. It specifies that something is true or applicable in most cases, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on a general basis" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express generalizations in English. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in science and news media contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and audience, opting for simpler alternatives like "in general" when a more casual tone is appropriate. Remember to avoid overuse in informal settings to prevent sounding overly formal. Ludwig's examples provide valuable context for effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in general

This is a shorter and more common way to express the same idea, omitting "a basis".

as a general rule

A slightly more formal alternative emphasizing the broad applicability of a principle.

generally speaking

This alternative emphasizes the act of making a generalization.

as a rule

This phrase implies that something is usually true, with exceptions possible.

typically

This single word adverb suggests a common occurrence or characteristic.

on average

This phrase focuses on the typical value or amount, often in statistical contexts.

for the most part

This alternative indicates that something is true in most instances but not all.

on the whole

This phrase suggests considering the totality of something when making a judgment.

by and large

This phrase signifies that something is true when considering everything.

in most cases

This alternative highlights that the statement is applicable in the majority of situations.

FAQs

What does "on a general basis" mean?

The phrase "on a general basis" means typically or usually. It implies that something is true or happens in most situations, though there may be exceptions.

How can I use "on a general basis" in a sentence?

You can use "on a general basis" to make generalizations. For example, "On a general basis, the weather is warmer in the summer than in the winter."

What are some alternatives to "on a general basis"?

Some alternatives to "on a general basis" include "in general", "generally speaking", and "typically".

Is "on a general basis" formal or informal?

The phrase "on a general basis" is somewhat formal. In more casual contexts, alternatives like "usually" or "generally" might be more appropriate.