the general population

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the general population" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about the overall population of a specific place or group. For example, "Researchers have found that the general population is more supportive of the proposed policy than they initially anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's not the general population".

Independent

The general population was divided almost evenly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"They're in the general population.

The New York Times

Lynchers rarely represented the general population.

The New York Times

How about among the general population?

The Guardian - Film

Sleep habits matched the general population standards.

Nature

In the general population, 43 died.

MIT Technology Review

Probably not in the general population.

Harvard Business Review

Schizophrenia affects 1% of the general population.

L'Encéphale

Most sexual abuse victims in the general population are female.

The New York Times

Are the sick kept with the general population?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the general population", ensure you define the geographical or social boundaries relevant to your statement. For example, specify if you're referring to "the general population of the United States" or "the general population of adults aged 18-35".

Common error

Avoid making broad claims about "the general population" without supporting evidence or data. Ensure your statements are backed by research, surveys, or reliable sources to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the general population" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the majority of people within a defined geographical or social context. Ludwig confirms its wide applicability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the general population" is a grammatically sound and very common noun phrase used to denote the majority of people within a specified group or region. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across varied sources. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. Related phrases include "the general public" and "the average person". When using this phrase, be specific about the group or region you are referring to, and avoid making unsupported generalizations. By providing multiple examples from reliable sources, this guide aims to clarify its usage and prevent common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the general public

Replaces "population" with "public", focusing on the collective body of citizens.

the mainstream populace

Substitutes "general" with "mainstream" and "population" with "populace", emphasizing the majority.

the average person

Simplifies the phrase to refer to a typical individual within the population.

the ordinary people

Replaces "general population" with a more colloquial term.

the common citizenry

Uses "citizenry" to denote the body of citizens, implying a civic context.

the wider community

Shifts the focus to a sense of community rather than a statistical population.

society at large

Uses a broader term to refer to the whole of society.

the national demographic

Specifies the population as relating to national statistics.

the overall demographic

Similar to "national demographic", but without specific national connotations.

the total inhabitants

Emphasizes the number of people residing in a specific area.

FAQs

How do I use "the general population" in a sentence?

You can use "the general population" to refer to most people in a particular region or group. For example, "The study aimed to understand the impact of the new policy on "the general population"."

What can I say instead of "the general population"?

You can use alternatives like "the general public", "the average person", or "the wider community" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "the general population" or "the generalized population"?

"The general population" is the more commonly used and accepted phrase. "The generalized population" is less frequent and may not be as readily understood.

What's the difference between "the population at large" and "the general population"?

"The population at large" is a more formal and broader term, while "the general population" is more commonly used and can refer to a specific group within a larger population.