overall

USAGE SUMMARY

"overall" is a very common word in written and spoken English.
It is typically used as an adverb to mean "in general". For example: "Overall, I was happy with the results of the project".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although there was disappointment that neither Mike Leigh's much-fancied Topsy-Turvy, Anthony Minghella's The Talented Mr Ripley, nor Neil Jordan's The End of the Affair made it into the frame for best picture, the Brits did well overall.

The Guardian - Film

Overall, the speech reflected the Liberal Democrats typically positive attitude to the challenges that lie ahead.

The Guardian - Opinion

So far, we've been spared any plugs for athletes' personal sponsors because the Olympic branding rules forbid them (to keep the field clear for overall advertisers such as Coca Cola and Adidas).

The Guardian - Opinion

But there was a problem: the compulsory oral exam, worth 20% of his overall marks.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

This is an area where the PM's overall approach is we should talk to the agencies about the resources and powers they need and work with them to make sure, as a government, we are putting in place all we need to keep us safe".

The Guardian

If we look at the 28 seats the Lib Dems are projected to lose, eight are to Labour and 10 to the SNP: To make a difference to the overall scores between the blocs, the Lib Dems would need to claw back most of these.

The Guardian

Overall, 1,540 offenders breached the terms of their licences, up 18% year on year, while 104 breached an order, up from 73 the previous year.

The Guardian

As for the alleged link back to Scottish health spending, while total block grants from Whitehall are indeed connected to overall English public service spending, Holyrood has sweeping autonomy over where the money goes.

The Guardian - Opinion

This shows that the overall figure spent on expenses in the last three months of 2010 was £195,891.01p.

The Guardian

It is striking that in the big three public service areas – schools health and welfare – the overall tone is largely "steady as she goes" rather than a change of course.

The Guardian

A narrow win for Bayern Munich on the night – and a comfortable Barcelona victory overall – was just reward for Luis Enrique's team, who were again wonderfully supple and incisive in attack when it mattered.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overall" to provide a high-level summary or conclusion after presenting detailed information. This helps the reader grasp the main point without getting lost in specifics.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "overall". Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms like "in general" or "on the whole" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "overall" primarily functions as an adverb of manner, modifying a statement to indicate it's a general assessment or summary. As Ludwig AI points out, it suggests a comprehensive view, considering all factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "overall" is a very common term used to provide a general assessment or high-level summary. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to offer a comprehensive view by summarizing presented information. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, overuse at the beginning of sentences should be avoided to maintain writing dynamism. It is frequently found in contexts like News & Media, Formal & Business documents, and scientific reports, making it versatile for many applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in general

Focuses on a general statement rather than a detailed analysis.

on the whole

Emphasizes a comprehensive consideration of all aspects.

by and large

Indicates a broad perspective, often overlooking minor details.

generally speaking

Highlights a common or typical viewpoint.

all things considered

Suggests a conclusion reached after weighing all relevant factors.

in summary

Condenses information into a brief, comprehensive overview.

to sum up

Provides a concise conclusion, drawing together key points.

taking everything into account

Implies a thorough assessment before forming a judgment.

when everything is considered

Similar to "all things considered" but with slightly more emphasis on the process of consideration.

considering everything

A shorter, more direct way to express "taking everything into account".

FAQs

How can I use "overall" in a sentence?

You can use "overall" to provide a general assessment or summary. For instance, "Overall, the project was a success" indicates a positive general outcome.

What are some alternatives to "overall"?

Alternatives include "in general", "on the whole", or "generally speaking". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "overall"?

Yes, starting a sentence with "overall" is grammatically correct. However, it's best to use it sparingly to avoid repetitiveness. Consider rephrasing occasionally using alternatives like "in summary" or incorporating the phrase later in the sentence.

What's the difference between "overall" and "generally"?

"Overall" typically refers to a comprehensive assessment or summary, while "generally" indicates a common or typical occurrence. You might say, "Overall, the feedback was positive" (meaning the summary of all feedback) versus "Generally, people enjoy the product" (meaning most people typically enjoy it).