What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
universality
Example
The universality of human rights is recognized by most countries around the world. [universality: noun]
Example
The concept of love has a certain universality across cultures and time periods. [universality: noun]
generality
Example
In general, people tend to prefer sweet foods over bitter ones. [generality: noun]
Example
The generality of the concept of family varies across different cultures and societies. [generality: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Generality is more commonly used than universality in everyday language, as it is a more versatile word that can be applied to a wider range of contexts. Universality is a more specialized term that is often used in academic or philosophical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between universality and generality?
Universality is generally considered a more formal term than generality, due to its association with academic or philosophical discourse.
