the general truth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the general truth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a widely accepted fact or principle that is considered to be true in a general sense. Example: "While there are exceptions to many rules, the general truth is that hard work leads to success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

And even in situations where cash incentives might seem appropriate, you are liable to come up against the general truth that people hate to feel manipulated.

The Economist

Salman Rushdie has acknowledged the general truth that it was Grass with his swirling comedic and fantastic narratives, his reworked fairytales and hilarious invective, who prefigured magical realism and showed how it could be used to tell European stories.

The Guardian - Books

The general truth seems to be that pets fulfil us to the degree that we anthropomorphise them; if we convince ourselves that relations with them are as rewarding as those with humans, they can be.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Pinter plays amusingly with their doubts, but one is less struck by the general truth (men are slaves to women's word about paternity) than by the situation's derivation from the matinee comedies by John Van Druten and the like.

The Guardian

Neoclassical critics had attacked the later work of Turner, with its proto-Impressionist concern for effects of light and atmosphere, for mimetic inaccuracy, and for a failure to represent the "general truth" that had been an essential criterion of painting in the age of Sir Joshua Reynolds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Williams ensured the general truth came out, and the game will be better for it, but rather than prove Richards was a bully, Williams revealed himself to be weak, not worthy of sympathy, no matter if that weakness was exploited by Richards and by ERC.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But (b) we could know this general truth on the basis of experience only by generalizing from examples of right and wrong that we encounter in experience.

SEP

The conclusions of the arguments given above include not only the falsity of descriptivism as a thesis about the reference of natural kind terms, but also the more general truth of semantic externalism.

SEP

But I would like to see the entire newspaper industry, what we used to call Fleet Street and indeed the media generally, have a general truth and reconciliation commission about all this.

The Guardian

The reason for using the term "generic" is because the evaluative verb involves a generic mood that expresses general truth based on the speaker's observations or attitudes.

Lingua Sinica

The logical truths could be understood as the most general truths, ones that are contained in any other body of truths that any other science aims to describe.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the general truth" to introduce a statement that holds true in most situations, acknowledging that exceptions may exist. This adds nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid presenting "the general truth" as an absolute truth. Always consider potential exceptions and context to maintain accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the general truth" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, introducing a concept or idea that is widely accepted or believed to be true. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the general truth" is a noun phrase used to introduce a commonly accepted belief or principle. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. While the phrase can be used across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing, it's important to acknowledge potential exceptions to avoid overgeneralization. Consider using alternatives like "the overarching truth" or "the common truth" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the overarching truth

Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the truth.

the common truth

Highlights the widely accepted nature of the truth.

the universal truth

Suggests the truth applies to everyone and everywhere.

the basic truth

Focuses on the fundamental aspect of the truth.

the underlying truth

Points to a truth that may not be immediately obvious.

the fundamental reality

Replaces "truth" with "reality", emphasizing existence.

the prevailing wisdom

Shifts the focus to accepted beliefs rather than objective truth.

the accepted norm

Refers to a standard or convention widely agreed upon.

the unvarnished truth

Emphasizes a candid version of truth without embellishment.

the essential fact

Highlights the core, factual component of the truth.

FAQs

How can I use "the general truth" in a sentence?

You can use "the general truth" to introduce a concept that's widely accepted, such as, "The general truth is that consistent effort leads to improvement." Remember to consider any potential exceptions.

What's a good alternative to "the general truth"?

Alternatives include "the overarching truth", "the common truth", or "the universal truth", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "general truth" without the article "the"?

While "general truth" might be understandable, using "the" specifies a particular truth that is widely accepted or applicable, making the phrase more precise and idiomatic. It's generally better to use "the general truth".

What's the difference between "the general truth" and "the whole truth"?

"The general truth" refers to a widely accepted fact or principle. In contrast, "the whole truth" refers to a complete and unedited account of something, often implying that some details may have been previously omitted.