to be general

USAGE SUMMARY

"To be general" is correct and usable in written English.
It generally means to state something in a broad or general way, often to be more inclusive. For example, "The company's policy is to be general about access to the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Surnames always have to be general.

The Guardian

New Hampshire was supposed to be General Clark's proving ground.

The New York Times

The method is shown to be general and accurate.

Journal of Computational Physics

MuMax aims to be general and broadly applicable.

Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials

There seems to be general agreement on this point.

Harvard University

So they asked him to be general manager.

The New York Times

It appears to be General Pervez Musharraf himself.

The Economist

Sather is still believed to be the Garden's first choice to be general manager.

The New York Times - Sports

All of them appear to be general mailings, sent out by the campaign.

The New York Times

"The pope had to be general, because he's talking to the whole church".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

These tokens are application specific — they are not meant to be general-purpose units of value like bitcoin.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity in instructions or guidelines, use "to be general" to ensure broad understanding before adding specific details.

Common error

Avoid using "to be general" as an excuse for vagueness. While generality is sometimes needed, always strive to provide sufficient context and specific examples to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be general" typically functions as part of an infinitive phrase, often used as a verbal complement within a sentence. Ludwig's AI indicates its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be general" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate a broad or non-specific approach. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely used across diverse fields like science, news, and academia. When using "to be general", aim for clarity and avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "to be broad" or "to be non-specific" may offer more precise connotations. Remember, while generality can be useful for introductions or overviews, specificity often enhances understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be non-specific

Focuses on the lack of specificity, rather than broad applicability.

to be broad

Emphasizes the wide scope or range of the subject.

to be all-encompassing

Highlights the comprehensiveness and inclusiveness of the subject.

to be comprehensive

Stresses the thoroughness and completeness of the subject.

to be inclusive

Focuses on the aspect of including a wide variety of elements or perspectives.

to be universal

Implies applicability to everyone or everything.

to be widely applicable

Highlights the range of situations in which something can be used or applied.

to be overarching

Suggests a principle or idea that is dominant and applies to many different situations.

to be panoramic

Implies a wide and extensive view or understanding.

to be indiscriminate

Highlights a lack of discrimination or distinction.

FAQs

How can I use "to be general" in a sentence?

You can use "to be general" to describe something that is broad or not specific. For instance, "The advice given was meant "to be general", covering a wide range of situations."

What's a good alternative to "to be general"?

Alternatives include "to be broad", "to be non-specific", or "to be inclusive", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to be specific or "to be general" in my writing?

It depends on your purpose. Being specific provides clarity and detail, while being general can offer a broader overview. Use specificity for detailed instructions and generality for introductory explanations.

When is it appropriate "to be general" rather than detailed?

It's appropriate "to be general" when introducing a topic, setting a broad context, or when details are not yet necessary or available. It helps avoid overwhelming the audience with excessive information early on.