generalization

IPA/ˌdʒenrəlaɪˈzeɪʃn/
KK[dʒˌɛnrəlɪzˈeʃən]IPA/ˌdʒenrələˈzeɪʃn/

generalization — 名詞

  • generalizationsingular
  • generalizationsplural

1. a statement that treats a small number of experiences as if they apply to all si

1.名詞B2
釋義

以偏概全

將少數案例套用至所有情況的片面結論

a statement that treats a small number of experiences as if they apply to all similar situations, often in a way that is unfair or too simple

例句

Trang's sweeping generalization that all teenagers dislike school upset her students.

Trang 以偏概全地說所有青少年都不喜歡學校,讓她的學生感到不滿。

sweeping generalization + that-clause for overbroad claims

Making quick generalizations about an entire country after a short visit is rarely fair.

只靠短暫拜訪就對整個國家做出快速歸納,這種說法很少是公平的。

quick generalizations about [topic] — common adjective + noun collocation

常見搭配
  • sweeping generalization
  • broad generalization
  • unfair generalization
  • dangerous generalization
  • make a generalization
  • base a generalization on
同義詞
  • oversimplification

    focuses on leaving out important complexity; often used in discussions of ideas rather than people

  • stereotype

    specifically about groups of people and carries a strong judgment of prejudice or bias

  • sweeping statement

    more informal; describes any broad claim made without enough evidence, without the moral weight of 'stereotype'

反義詞
  • nuance

    a subtle detail or quality that makes a statement more accurate and less general

  • specification

    the act of giving exact details rather than broad claims

文法句型

make + a generalization + about + something

a generalization + that + clause

用法筆記

Often carries a negative connotation — the speaker is criticising a statement for being too broad or unfair. The adjectives 'sweeping', 'broad', and 'unfair' are very frequently paired with this sense.

常見錯誤

He made a generalization about dogs being friendly.
He made a sweeping generalization that all dogs are friendly.
Without 'sweeping' or 'broad', the sentence sounds neutral; add the adjective to show the statement is unfairly overbroad.

2. the process of noticing what different specific examples share and forming a bro

2.名詞B2
釋義

歸納

從具體例子中提煉普遍規則的思維過程

the process of noticing what different specific examples share and forming a broad idea or rule from that information

例句

In biology class, students practiced generalization by finding patterns in plant growth data.

生物課上,學生透過尋找植物生長數據中的規律來練習歸納。

practice generalization — verb + noun for learning a skill

Hyun used generalization to turn his bird-watching notes into a useful rule about migration.

Hyun 運用歸納法,將賞鳥筆記轉化為關於鳥類遷徙的有用規則。

use generalization to + infinitive — purpose structure

常見搭配
  • inductive generalization
  • statistical generalization
  • careful generalization
  • process of generalization
  • generalization from data
  • generalization of results
同義詞
  • induction

    more technical; the formal term in logic and the philosophy of science

  • abstraction

    focuses on pulling out the essential features, not necessarily forming a rule

  • conceptualization

    broader; includes forming the ideas themselves, not just the step of making them general

反義詞
  • specification

    moving from a general idea to particular details, the reverse direction

  • deduction

    reasoning from general principles to specific conclusions, rather than from specifics to general rules

文法句型

generalization + of + data / observations

generalization + from + specific examples + to + broader rules

用法筆記

This sense is uncountable when referring to the general process or method. It is common in academic and scientific writing. Distinguish from sense 1 (SWEEPING STATEMENT): in sense 2, generalization is a neutral or positive reasoning tool, not a criticism.

常見錯誤

The generalization of the results was wrong, so we should avoid generalizations.
The generalization of the results was done carefully using data from all age groups.
This sense (FORMING RULES) is a neutral process; saying it is 'wrong' mixes up the two senses. Criticise the data or method, not the act of generalising itself.

同根字

常見搭配

常用片語

  • a generalization about
  • a generalization that
  • generalization from… to…
  • on the basis of a generalization

介系詞搭配