What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
generality
Example
The generality of his argument made it difficult to understand his point. [generality: noun]
Example
In generality, people tend to prefer sunny weather over rainy weather. [generality: adverb]
generalization
Example
Making a generalization about a person's character based on one action is unfair. [generalization: noun]
Example
She tends to make generalizations about people from different cultures without understanding their individual experiences. [generalization: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Generalization is more commonly used than generality in everyday language, especially in informal contexts. However, generality is more commonly used in academic or technical writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between generality and generalization?
Generality is typically associated with a formal tone, while generalization can be used in both formal and informal contexts.