universalizing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "universalizing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing the act of making something universal or applicable to all, often in social, cultural, or philosophical discussions. Example: "The author is universalizing the experiences of the characters to highlight common human emotions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It separates the message from the author and from the context in which it was written, thereby "decontextualizing," or universalizing the meaning of, language.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Under the leadership of Pope (later Saint John XXIIII and the Second Vatican Council, the Roman Catholic Church accepted the legitimacy of Judaism as a continuing religion and exonerated Jews for the murder of Jesus Christ by universalizing responsibility for his Crucifixion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Against the champions of determinism, Kant insisted on the autonomous capacities of the human will: by universalizing one's maxims (or reasons) for action in accordance with the categorical imperative Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law"—one acts freely, or autonomously.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Any search for reasons has the "universalizing" character of rationality: I am in effect saying that others, insofar as they are rational, ought to feel exactly the same delight as I feel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(We might do better simply by universalizing our own Medicare and Medicaid).

The New Yorker

Hawke, as a director, doesn't trust Bernstein's performance — or, perhaps, his viewers; his superficially universalizing montage, subordinating Bernstein's fine performance of the Brahms first into language and then to other musical artists with whom viewers might more easily identify, is unfortunately akin to Bernstein's own rhapsodically humanistic generalizations.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

It has long been noted by commentators that mathematical proofs work with a particular case through universal instantiation (ekthesis) and then universalize to the general claim, and that not all propositions have the form: A is said of B, e.g., Elements 1 1, "To construct an equilateral triangle on a given line".

SEP

If the complaint about "Bloodlands" was that Snyder made the Holocaust a local event, this book is meant to universalize it again, with the understanding that what is universal in human experience is what is local and political.

The New Yorker

There was a tendency to universalize certain particularist statements of the Hebrew: in Amos 9 11 fol. the prophecy that David's dynasty will repossess the residue of Edom becomes a promise that the residue of men (the Gentiles) will seek the true God a promise that is quoted in the New Testament as a "testimony" to the Christian Gentile mission.

Encyclopedia Britannica

From 1947 to 1950 the reactions of Washington and Moscow to the perceived threats of the other solidified the division of Europe and much of the world into two blocs, and the Cold War became universalized, institutionalized, and militarized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All public education was made free, and strong efforts were made to universalize primary education, to upgrade technical and vocational education, and to improve the quality of education generally.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "universalizing", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately reflects the intent of making something applicable to all, rather than simply broadening its scope.

Common error

Avoid using "universalizing" when the intent is not to make something applicable to all, but rather to a significant portion or a specific group. Using a more precise term like "generalizing" or "broadening" can prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The term "universalizing" functions primarily as a verb, often in its present participle form, describing an ongoing action of making something universal. Ludwig shows its usage in various academic and philosophical contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33.3%

Encyclopedias

33.3%

Science

33.3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "universalizing" is a grammatically sound verb form, commonly used to describe the act of making something applicable to all. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it frequently appears in academic, news, and media sources. To ensure precise communication, writers should be mindful of the context, differentiating "universalizing" from related terms like "generalizing" or "standardizing". When aiming for clarity, "universalizing" should accurately reflect the intention of making something truly applicable to all instances, avoiding overstatement of scope and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generalizing

Focuses on extending from specific instances to a broader concept, which may not necessarily encompass 'all'.

extending to all

Highlights the action of making something applicable to every instance or member of a group.

applying universally

Emphasizes the act of using something in every possible situation or to every person.

inclusifying

Implies making something more inclusive or encompassing to a wider audience or group.

making global

Implies expanding something to a worldwide scale, which is a specific type of universal application.

globalizing

Similar to 'making global', refers specifically to expanding something to a global context or scale.

standardizing

Involves setting a norm or rule that should be followed by everyone, creating uniformity.

making comprehensive

Emphasizes thoroughness and completeness, ensuring all aspects are covered, thus approaching universality.

popularizing

Suggests making something widely liked or accepted, not necessarily universally applicable but widely adopted.

broadening

Focuses on making something wider in scope, which is a component of universalizing.

FAQs

How can I use "universalizing" in a sentence?

You can use "universalizing" to describe the act of making something applicable to everyone or everything. For example, "The philosopher aimed at universalizing moral principles".

What's a good alternative to "universalizing"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "generalizing", "extending to all", or "applying universally".

Is it always appropriate to aim for "universalizing" something?

Not necessarily. In some contexts, focusing on specific groups or situations may be more effective than attempting to "make global" solutions.

What is the difference between "universalizing" and "standardizing"?

"Universalizing" means making something applicable to all, while "standardizing" involves setting a norm or rule that should be followed by everyone, which might not necessarily cover all cases but aims to create uniformity.