Sure! Let's break down the phrase "in general" step by step:
"In general" is an adverbial phrase that means "usually" or "most of the time" without focusing on specific details or exceptions. It is used to talk about a broad idea rather than specific cases.
You can use "in general" when you want to make statements that apply to most situations or people, but not necessarily all of them. It's a way to summarize thoughts or opinions.
You can also use "in general" in more complex sentences to introduce a topic that you will then explain in more detail. For example: - "In general, people tend to be more productive in the morning." (Here, you can follow up with specific reasons or studies that support this statement.)
While "in general" typically refers to broad statements or trends, it does not refer to specific instances. It's important to remember that when you use "in general," you are making a broad observation rather than stating something that applies universally.
Some synonyms for "in general" include: - Generally - Overall - Broadly - Typically
There are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs that are synonymous with "in general," but you might hear phrases like: - "On the whole" (which means the same as "in general"). - "For the most part" (also similar in meaning).