general public
الجمهور العام
Use it when talking about things accessible to everyone or the collective opinion of society.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Refers to the entire community or ordinary people collectively.
- Commonly used for accessibility, safety, and broad opinions.
- Slightly more formal than saying 'everyone' or 'people'.
معنی
This phrase refers to everyone in society as a whole, rather than a specific group or experts. It's the 'everyday people' who aren't part of a private club or a government office.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Announcing a grand opening
The new library will be open to the general public starting Monday.
The new library will be open to the general public starting Monday.
Discussing a scientific discovery
It is difficult to explain quantum physics to the general public.
It is difficult to explain quantum physics to the general public.
A police announcement
The police warned the general public to stay away from the flooded area.
The police warned the general public to stay away from the flooded area.
زمینه فرهنگی
The term gained prominence during the Enlightenment and the rise of democratic ideals. It reflects the shift from society being ruled by elite royals to the idea that 'ordinary' people have a collective voice and right to information.
The 'The' Rule
Always put 'the' before 'general public'. It sounds very strange to say 'I like general public'.
Don't be too robotic
If you use this phrase with your spouse at home, you'll sound like a robot. Stick to 'people' for cozy chats.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Refers to the entire community or ordinary people collectively.
- Commonly used for accessibility, safety, and broad opinions.
- Slightly more formal than saying 'everyone' or 'people'.
What It Means
Think of general public as the 'everyone' group. It is not about your friends. It is not about your family. It is the collective mass of people living in a city or country. If a park is open to the general public, it means anyone can walk in. You don't need a special pass or a fancy title. It is the opposite of a 'private' or 'exclusive' group.
How To Use It
You usually use it with the word the. We say 'the general public thinks...' or 'open to the general public'. It functions like a single noun. You can use it in news reports or when talking about business. If you are launching a new app, you might release it to the general public after testing it with friends. It sounds a bit more professional than saying 'everyone'.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing things that affect the whole community. It is great for announcements. For example, 'The museum is now open to the general public'. Use it in meetings when talking about customers. It works well when you want to sound objective. It is the perfect term for safety warnings or event invitations.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this at a small dinner party. If you say, 'I want to serve food to the general public,' your friends will think you are opening a restaurant! Avoid it in very intimate settings. It is too broad for specific groups. Don't use it if you are only talking about 'teenagers' or 'doctors'. It is also a bit too stiff for a casual text to a best friend about weekend plans.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, the general public is a powerful concept. It represents the 'voice' of the people. Politicians often worry about what the general public thinks. It became very popular with the rise of mass media and newspapers. It implies a sense of fairness and equal access. If something is 'not for the general public', it often feels a bit secretive or elitist.
Common Variations
You might hear people say the public for short. Sometimes people use the man on the street for a more colorful version. In marketing, people might say the masses. However, general public remains the most standard and respected version. It is the 'goldilocks' of terms—not too slangy, not too academic. Just right for a professional conversation.
نکات کاربردی
The phrase is neutral to formal. It is most commonly found in journalism, government communications, and business. Avoid using it in intimate, personal settings where 'everyone' or 'you guys' is more appropriate.
The 'The' Rule
Always put 'the' before 'general public'. It sounds very strange to say 'I like general public'.
Don't be too robotic
If you use this phrase with your spouse at home, you'll sound like a robot. Stick to 'people' for cozy chats.
Public vs. Private
In the UK and US, 'public' can be confusing. For example, a 'Public School' in the UK is actually a very expensive private school! But 'general public' always means everyone.
مثالها
6The new library will be open to the general public starting Monday.
The new library will be open to the general public starting Monday.
Standard use for accessibility.
It is difficult to explain quantum physics to the general public.
It is difficult to explain quantum physics to the general public.
Distinguishes between experts and non-experts.
The police warned the general public to stay away from the flooded area.
The police warned the general public to stay away from the flooded area.
Used for safety warnings and official communication.
I forgot today was a holiday; the general public is out in full force!
I forgot today was a holiday; the general public is out in full force!
A slightly humorous way to complain about crowds.
Sometimes I think the monkeys are more organized than the general public.
Sometimes I think the monkeys are more organized than the general public.
Using the term to make a funny comparison.
The government needs to listen to the concerns of the general public.
The government needs to listen to the concerns of the general public.
Used in a serious, civic-minded context.
خودت رو بسنج
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence.
The concert was private yesterday, but today it is open to the ___.
The phrase 'general public' is the standard collocation for saying something is open to everyone.
Which word usually comes before 'general public'?
___ general public often has different opinions than experts.
We almost always use the definite article 'the' because we are referring to the specific collective group of society.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality of 'General Public'
Using 'everyone' or 'folks'
Hey everyone!
Standard 'general public'
Open to the general public.
Using 'the citizenry' or 'the populace'
The welfare of the populace.
Where to use 'General Public'
News Report
The public is advised...
Museum Entry
Open to all.
Marketing
Targeting the public.
Safety Signs
Public notice.
سوالات متداول
10 سوال'People' is very casual and general. General public is more formal and refers to society as an organized group.
No, 'public' is a collective noun here. Even though it refers to many people, we keep it singular: the general public.
Yes, especially if you are writing to a customer or making an announcement. It sounds professional.
Not usually, but if an expert says it with a mean tone, they might be implying people are 'uninformed'. Mostly, it is neutral.
No, that's incorrect. You would just say 'the student body'. General public means everyone in the community.
It is used equally in both! It is a very standard term across the English-speaking world.
Yes, 'the public' is a perfectly fine shorter version. General public just feels a tiny bit more official.
You can say, 'The general public is divided on this issue.' This means half the people agree and half disagree.
In American English, we usually say 'is'. In British English, both 'is' and 'are' are acceptable. 'The general public is waiting' is always safe.
A public figure is a famous person (like a celebrity) who is known by the general public.
عبارات مرتبط
The man on the street
An average person with typical opinions.
The masses
A large number of people, often used in a political context.
Civilian
A person not in the armed services or the police force.
Layperson
Someone without professional or specialized knowledge in a particular subject.
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