this is generally true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is generally true" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a statement or observation holds true in most cases or under typical circumstances. Example: "While there are exceptions, this is generally true: regular exercise contributes to better health."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

This is generally true.

The Economist

This is generally true of the Fi in equation (93).

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is generally true of Cairo, where about two-thirds of the population lives in ashwa'iyat.

The New Yorker

In the case of Mr. Schlesinger's recipes, this is generally true.

The New York Times - Food

David: My impression is that this is generally true among elite leaders across the political spectrum.

The New York Times

While this is generally true, I believe it needs to be managed properly so that workers and shareholders on both sides benefit fully.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Soghoian, an expert in online security, said that this was generally true, but he nonetheless agreed with Snowden that the widespread adoption of end-to-end encryption would be a good thing.

The New Yorker

And this was generally true.... until the current financial bailouts.

Huffington Post

This was generally true for both small-world, and scale-free networks leaving a negligible amount of cooperation at T-values higher than 4.5.

Plosone

This was generally true for cause specific analyses.

BMC Public Health

This was generally true for all subgroups within the MRU+/HESA39- cohort and interrogation of the death registration records identified at least 19 patients who had died at home.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is generally true" to introduce a generalization before acknowledging specific exceptions, providing a balanced perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "this is generally true" when the statement has significant or frequent exceptions. Ensure the statement holds true in a majority of cases to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is generally true" functions as an introductory phrase used to preface a statement that is typically accurate, but not universally so. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is generally true" is a versatile phrase used to introduce statements that hold true in most cases, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct, commonly used across various domains—particularly science and news—and serves to qualify assertions. When using the phrase, remember that it is best practice to acknowledge that the statement is not an absolute, and you should be prepared to provide possible exceptions. Alternatives like "this is typically the case" can be considered for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is typically the case

Replaces "generally" with "typically", emphasizing commonality.

this is usually correct

Substitutes "generally" with "usually" and "true" with "correct", focusing on accuracy.

this is mostly accurate

Emphasizes the high degree of accuracy while acknowledging potential exceptions.

this holds true in most instances

Highlights that the statement's validity is conditional on the instance.

this is largely the situation

Replaces "generally true" with "largely the situation", indicating a broad overview.

this is true more often than not

Uses a common idiom to convey a tendency toward truth.

it is often the reality

Shifts focus to the actuality of the statement, using "often" for frequency.

in most cases this is valid

Highlights validity in typical scenarios.

this is broadly accurate

Uses "broadly" to suggest overall correctness with possible minor inaccuracies.

this is commonly accepted

Focuses on the acceptance of the statement rather than its inherent truth.

FAQs

How can I use "this is generally true" in a sentence?

Use "this is generally true" to introduce a statement that holds true in most situations, but with possible exceptions. For example, "While there are exceptions, this is generally true: regular exercise contributes to better health".

What can I say instead of "this is generally true"?

You can use alternatives like "this is typically the case", "this is usually correct", or "this is mostly accurate" depending on the context.

When should I avoid using "this is generally true"?

Avoid using "this is generally true" if the statement has too many exceptions or if those exceptions are significant enough to undermine the statement's overall validity.

Is "this is generally true" formal or informal?

"This is generally true" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of your writing.