generalization
/ˌdʒenrəlaɪˈzeɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌdʒenrələˈzeɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌjen-rə-lə-ˈzā-shən ˌje-nə-/ (ame, mw)
generalization — 名詞
- generalizationsingular
- generalizationsplural
1. a statement that treats a small number of experiences as if they apply to all si
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
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
The mayor's generalization about people from the north caused anger in the local community.
市長對北方人做出的以偏概全的說法，引起了當地社區的不滿。
Kemi's boss rejected her suggestion with the unfair generalization that young workers lack patience.
Kemi 的老闆用年輕員工缺乏耐心這種不公平的概括論斷，否定了她的建議。
Dahlia reminded her classmates that broad generalizations often hide important differences between people.
Dahlia 提醒同學，籠統的概括論述往往掩蓋了人與人之間重要的差異。
- 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'
- 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
2. the process of noticing what different specific examples share and forming a bro
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
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
The research team's analysis relied on careful generalization across hundreds of survey responses.
研究團隊的分析依靠謹慎歸納數百份問卷回覆而得。
Generalization is a key tool that helps scientists move from specific data to broader ideas.
歸納是科學中的重要工具，幫助科學家從具體數據推導出更宏觀的概念。
Christopher showed strong generalization skills by connecting several small experiments into one theory.
Christopher 展現了出色的歸納能力，將幾個小型實驗串聯成一套理論。
- 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
- 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.