Basic Details
Word: Generally
Part of Speech: Adverb
Meaning: Usually, or in most cases. It can also mean by most people, as in 'generally accepted'.
Synonyms: usually, mostly, normally, commonly
Antonyms: rarely, seldom
How to Spell Generally
Syllables: gen - er - al - ly
Tricky part: General already ends in l, and ly brings its own l, so the word has a double l. Writers often keep only one.
Watch out for: generaly, genrally, generely
Memory tip: Take the whole word general and simply add ly: general + ly. Nothing is dropped, so two l's meet.
Usage Examples
Example 1: I generally walk to school, but today it was raining.
Example 2: Owls are generally awake at night.
Example 3: Mangoes are generally cheaper in May than in March.
Fun Fact
General comes from the Latin genus, meaning a kind or class, so a general statement is one that covers a whole kind of thing.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
During the monsoon, trains to the hill station generaly run late because landslides often block the tracks near the tunnels.
a) monsoon
b) generaly
c) landslides
d) tunnels
Show answer
b) generaly. The l of general stays and another arrives with ly.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of 'generally' as it is used in the sentence:
Our school bus generally reaches the gate at seven o'clock.
a) mostly
b) rarely
c) early
d) usually
Show answer
b) rarely. Rarely means hardly ever, the reverse of what generally says.
Mingle-Mangle
Unscramble the jumbled word in the sentence and choose the correct word:
Monsoon showers in Kerala are yllrenaeg heavier than those in Rajasthan.
a) gingerly
b) generality
c) generally
d) generously
Show answer
c) generally. Generously needs o, u and s, gingerly needs an i, and generality has an i and a t; the jumble gives generally.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. 'It is generally believed' means that ____.
a) it has just been proved
b) only one person believes it
c) most people believe it
d) nobody believes it
Show answer
c) most people believe it
2. Which word could replace 'generally' in 'Cats generally dislike water'?
a) never
b) loudly
c) suddenly
d) usually
Show answer
d) usually
