sweeping generalities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sweeping generalities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe broad statements or conclusions that lack specificity and may not accurately represent the details of a situation. Example: "The politician's speech was filled with sweeping generalities that failed to address the complexities of the issue at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Instead, I was overcome by sweeping generalities.

The New York Times

Such sweeping generalities only reinforce a misconception that has impeded the widespread adoption of green alternatives.

The New York Times

My studio has many books - my imagination is fine for sweeping generalities, but the details need researching.

The Guardian - Arts

Mr. Swift, in his essays, rarely bothers hunting for the perfect word, settling instead for dull, sweeping generalities.

The New York Times - Books

Agreements ratified by the rubber-stamp parliament contain sweeping generalities and less detail than most people would expect when they rent an apartment.

The Economist

IN A city with all the problems of Bangkok from floods to creaky infrastructure politicians prefer to grab voters with sweeping generalities rather than detailed promises.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Avoid sweeping generalizations.

WikiHow

"As soon as a political scientist comes up with a sweeping generality about American politics," said Alan Abramowitz, a political scientist at Emory University, "it will immediately be falsified".

The New York Times

To risk a sweeping generality, it is mostly the smaller, visible and tangible things that are quickly fixed: small shops and big supermarkets; banks and ATMs; petrol stations, better roads; the gamut of consumer electronics and domestic comforts (Ikea!).

Independent

Although thermodynamics developed rapidly during the 19th century in response to the need to optimize the performance of steam engines, the sweeping generality of the laws of thermodynamics makes them applicable to all physical and biological systems.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But when you ask Mr. Washington or his co-stars how it's done, they're mostly at a loss for words, or rather, they talk around it, trying to get at its mysterious workings by way of metaphors, anecdotes and the odd sweeping generality.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sweeping generalities" sparingly. Over-reliance on broad statements can weaken your writing and make it seem less credible.

Common error

Avoid using "sweeping generalities" as a substitute for detailed analysis or concrete evidence. Instead, use them as a starting point for further exploration and provide specific examples to support your claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sweeping generalities" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause, denoting statements or claims that are overly broad and lack specific details. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

14%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sweeping generalities" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes overly broad statements lacking specific details. According to Ludwig AI, it's commonly used in News & Media and also in scientific contexts to criticize a lack of specificity and supporting evidence. While perfectly usable, it's best to avoid "sweeping generalities" in your own writing without providing concrete examples. Some alternative phrases include "broad generalizations" or "vague statements". This analysis confirms the phrase's appropriate use in various contexts, as indicated by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broad generalizations

Replaces "sweeping" with "broad", maintaining the emphasis on the wide scope of the generalizations.

overarching generalizations

Substitutes "sweeping" with "overarching", highlighting the comprehensive nature of the generalizations.

vague generalizations

Focuses on the lack of specificity in the generalizations, rather than their scope.

unsubstantiated claims

Shifts the emphasis to the lack of evidence supporting the claims.

broad statements

Simplifies the phrase, using a more general term for "generalities".

generalized statements

Reorders the words but keeps similar meaning

grand generalizations

Replaces "sweeping" with "grand", giving a sense of greater scale.

empty generalizations

Focuses on the lack of substance of the generalizations

sweeping statements

Replaces "generalities" with a more direct term

over-generalizations

Implies too much generality

FAQs

How can I use "sweeping generalities" in a sentence?

You can use "sweeping generalities" to describe statements that are too broad and lack specific details. For example: "The politician's speech was full of "sweeping generalities" and didn't offer any concrete solutions."

What's the difference between "sweeping generalities" and "specific examples"?

"Sweeping generalities" are broad statements that lack detail, while "specific examples" provide concrete evidence and support for a claim. Using both effectively is essential for clear communication.

What are some alternatives to saying "sweeping generalities"?

You can use alternatives such as "broad generalizations", "vague statements", or "unsubstantiated claims" to convey a similar meaning.

Why is it important to avoid "sweeping generalities" in writing?

Relying on "sweeping generalities" can weaken your arguments, make your writing less credible, and potentially alienate your audience. Providing specific evidence and detailed analysis is more effective.