overgeneralization

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overgeneralization" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of making broad statements or conclusions based on limited evidence or examples. Example: "The overgeneralization that all teenagers are irresponsible is not accurate and overlooks individual differences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

For those familiar with his brand of confidently asserted overgeneralization, the book is about what you would expect.

The New York Times - Books

If you answered Dad to No. 1 and Mom to No. 2, you have bought into a stereotype, the kind of overgeneralization that makes open-minded people squirm.

The New York Times

(Not a surprise that there was little complaint my overgeneralization of their people as "wonderful").

The New York Times

As Elshtain's stately summaries of Addams's pronouncements roll on, her voice winds around her subject's, creating odd moments of piety, homiletics and overgeneralization: "Without a mooring in a moral purpose, life scatters, falters, and dries up"; "The modern city degrades what should be exalted".

The New York Times - Books

"Any lying president is Richard Nixon; any successful general is a potential George Washington," the book observes, with an accurate view of our processes of overgeneralization.

The New York Times - Books

It was "narrowly targeted at the fault line between work and family -- precisely where sex-based overgeneralization has been and remains strongest".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Basing our notions of justice on overgeneralizations about classifications like age is ill advised, as is basing our principles of law on a world view.

The New York Times

They had adopted their own kind of overgeneralizations about "the Other," the West of the East.

The New York Times - Books

These are overgeneralizations, of course.

The New York Times - Magazine

While I certainly agree with the wish to avoid overgeneralizations and politically charged polarizations, and while I think the writings of the Kyoto School do need to be read critically in this regard, I am equally wary of a "globalization of thought" that amounts to a colonization of "non-Western" traditions by "Western" methods and categories of thinking.

SEP

Even if we ultimately justify their employment, our use of them remains critically informed by recognition of the limits of the terms and the overgeneralizations and exclusions they can foster.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the term "overgeneralization", ensure you provide specific examples of the flawed reasoning or insufficient evidence that makes the generalization problematic.

Common error

Not all generalizations are flawed. A generalization based on sufficient and representative evidence is a valid form of reasoning. Use "overgeneralization" specifically when the generalization is demonstrably too broad or based on inadequate evidence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "overgeneralization" is as a noun, referring to the act of making overly broad generalizations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. Examples show it used to describe flawed reasoning or unsupported claims.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overgeneralization" functions as a noun that describes the act of making broad statements without sufficient evidence. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and well-suited for use in academic, journalistic, and professional contexts. Examples show it is often used to critique arguments. Related terms include "sweeping generalization" and "hasty generalization". When using "overgeneralization", be precise about the flaws in the reasoning and avoid assuming that all generalizations are inherently flawed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sweeping generalization

Emphasizes the breadth and scope of the generalization.

broad generalization

Highlights the wide-ranging nature of the generalization.

hasty generalization

Suggests that the generalization is made without sufficient evidence.

faulty generalization

Indicates that the generalization is based on flawed reasoning.

unwarranted generalization

Implies that the generalization lacks justification or support.

oversimplification

Focuses on the reduction of complexity that leads to the generalization.

stereotype

Refers to a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.

blanket statement

Emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of the statement.

universal statement

Highlights that the statement is applicable in all cases.

generalization

A more neutral term, lacking the negative connotation of "overgeneralization".

FAQs

How can I use "overgeneralization" in a sentence?

You can use "overgeneralization" to describe the act of making a broad statement based on limited evidence. For example, "The statement that all politicians are corrupt is an "overgeneralization" because not all politicians are corrupt."

What's the difference between a generalization and an "overgeneralization"?

A generalization is a broad statement or conclusion. An "overgeneralization" is a generalization that is too broad and not supported by sufficient evidence or logical reasoning. In essence, all "overgeneralizations" are generalizations, but not all generalizations are "overgeneralizations".

What are some synonyms for "overgeneralization"?

Synonyms for "overgeneralization" include "sweeping generalization", "broad generalization", and "hasty generalization". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the term "overgeneralization"?

It's appropriate to use "overgeneralization" when you want to criticize or point out a flaw in someone's reasoning or argument. It indicates that their conclusion is too broad and not adequately supported by the available evidence. Be specific about why it is an "overgeneralization".