generalities
generalities — noun
1. remarks or statements that are too broad and lack specific details, making them
remarks or statements that are too broad and lack specific details, making them seem empty or evasive — for example, a politician promising 'change' without saying what kind of change.
The minister's speech was full of generalities about economic growth, with no mention of actual tax changes or spending cuts.
collocation: full of generalities
When the journalist pressed for details, the company spokesperson offered only generalities about future plans.
pattern: offer generalities about + topic
Nkechi grew frustrated with the training course because it taught generalities instead of practical safety procedures.
The professor told her students to stop writing generalities and support every claim with evidence.
Instead of addressing the budget crisis, the candidate kept repeating generalities about working harder for the people.
- platitudes
empty, boring statements that have been said so often they have no meaning; stronger negative tone
- clichés
overused phrases that lack original thought; refers to the phrasing itself
- vague comments
informal alternative; less dismissive than 'generalities'
- empty promises
a type of generality that involves commitments, not just statements
文法句型
speak in generalities
generalities about [topic]
full of generalities
用法筆記
Overwhelmingly used in the plural. This sense carries a negative tone — describing someone's words as 'generalities' is usually a criticism, implying the speaker is avoiding specifics on purpose.
常見錯誤
2. the largest part or number of a group of people or things; the majority — for ex
the largest part or number of a group of people or things; the majority — for example, 'the generality of voters' meaning most voters.
The generality of voters supported the education reform, according to the independent poll.
pattern: the generality of + noun (the majority of)
Unlike her critics, Dr. Okonkwo focused not on unusual cases but on the generality of patients.
formal register: the generality of patients
The generality of the committee agreed that the proposal needed more work before a vote.
Although a few members objected loudly, the generality of the staff accepted the new schedule.
文法句型
the generality of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Always appears in the singular form 'generality' and requires the definite article ('the generality of...'). This sense is very formal and somewhat dated in modern English; in everyday speech, 'most', 'the majority of', or 'most of' are far more common.
常見錯誤
3. a broad concept that covers a wide range of situations without looking at any on
a broad concept that covers a wide range of situations without looking at any one case in depth — for example, the generality that 'markets respond to supply and demand'.
The course began with generalities about economic theory before applying them to real markets.
pattern: begin with generalities before moving to specifics
Sofia prefers to understand the generalities of a subject first, then learn the exceptions.
Scientists test their generalities against real-world data to see which ones hold up.
The textbook presented broad generalities about human behaviour without citing any studies.
To write a strong essay, you must move beyond generalities and examine specific examples.
- generalization
more academic; implies a claim made from evidence, while 'generality' is more neutral
- principle
stronger implication of a rule or law; less about vagueness
- abstract idea
informal; focuses on the non-concrete nature rather than breadth
- specifics
concrete, detailed information
- particulars
formal; individual facts or items
- exceptions
cases that do not follow the broad rule
文法句型
move from generalities to specifics
beyond generalities
generalities about [topic]
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (VAGUE STATEMENTS), this sense is neutral or even positive — it describes the necessary early stage of reasoning or teaching. The negative judgment comes when you stay at the level of generalities without ever getting specific.