general opinion
رأي عام
Use it to describe what 'most people' think without needing exact statistics or names.
Em 15 segundos
- The collective belief or attitude of most people.
- Used to describe the consensus of a group.
- Works in both professional meetings and casual chats.
Significado
It refers to the collective attitude or common belief held by most people in a specific group or society about a particular topic.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Discussing a new movie with friends
The general opinion seems to be that the sequel wasn't as good as the first one.
يبدو أن الرأي العام هو أن الجزء الثاني لم يكن جيداً مثل الأول.
In a business meeting about a new policy
We should gauge the general opinion of the staff before making a final decision.
يجب أن نقيس الرأي العام للموظفين قبل اتخاذ قرار نهائي.
Texting about a popular restaurant
General opinion says the pizza is 10/10, want to go?
الرأي العام بيقول البيتزا ١٠/١٠، تحب تروح؟
Contexto cultural
The concept of 'general opinion' became central to Western political thought during the Enlightenment. It shifted the focus from the King's will to what the common people actually thought. Today, it is the lifeblood of social media algorithms and 24-hour news cycles.
The 'Gauge' Collocation
Native speakers almost always use the verb 'gauge' with 'general opinion'. It makes you sound very natural!
Don't be too specific
Avoid saying 'The general opinion of my mom is...' because general implies a large group, not one person.
Em 15 segundos
- The collective belief or attitude of most people.
- Used to describe the consensus of a group.
- Works in both professional meetings and casual chats.
What It Means
General opinion is basically the 'vibe' of the crowd. It is what most people think when you ask them about a movie, a politician, or even a new office rule. It is not about one person's deep thoughts. It is about the average view of the masses. Think of it as the 'big picture' of how everyone is feeling.
How To Use It
You use this when you want to summarize what people are saying. You can say, "The general opinion is that the food here is great." It acts like a noun. You can 'gauge' it, 'influence' it, or 'follow' it. It is perfect for when you do not want to name names. You are just reporting the overall mood of the room.
When To Use It
Use it in meetings to show you have done your research. Use it with friends when discussing a new Netflix show. It is great for news reports or social media trends. If you are at a party and everyone is leaving early, you might say the general opinion is that the music is too loud. It helps you sound observant and smart.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for your own personal feelings. If you hate the coffee, do not say it is the general opinion unless everyone else hates it too! Avoid it in very scientific papers where you need exact percentages. Also, if only two people are talking, it is too small for a general opinion. You need a bigger crowd for this phrase to work.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, we love to talk about what 'the public' thinks. It is a big part of democracy and marketing. The phrase became very popular with the rise of newspapers and polling. It reflects a culture that values the voice of the majority. Sometimes, it is used to gently pressure someone to agree with the group.
Common Variations
You might hear public opinion which is a bit more formal. People also say the consensus when they want to sound fancy. In casual talk, you might hear "everyone thinks..." or "the word on the street is..." But general opinion is the perfect middle ground. It is safe, clear, and always makes you sound like you know what is going on.
Notas de uso
This phrase is incredibly versatile. It sits right in the middle of the formality scale, making it safe for a boss, a teacher, or a friend. Just remember it refers to the 'average' view, not a specific one.
The 'Gauge' Collocation
Native speakers almost always use the verb 'gauge' with 'general opinion'. It makes you sound very natural!
Don't be too specific
Avoid saying 'The general opinion of my mom is...' because general implies a large group, not one person.
The Silent Majority
Sometimes people say 'general opinion' to mean 'what most people say out loud,' even if they secretly disagree.
Exemplos
6The general opinion seems to be that the sequel wasn't as good as the first one.
يبدو أن الرأي العام هو أن الجزء الثاني لم يكن جيداً مثل الأول.
Used here to summarize what critics and audiences are saying.
We should gauge the general opinion of the staff before making a final decision.
يجب أن نقيس الرأي العام للموظفين قبل اتخاذ قرار نهائي.
A professional way to suggest a survey or feedback session.
General opinion says the pizza is 10/10, want to go?
الرأي العام بيقول البيتزا ١٠/١٠، تحب تروح؟
Shortened for a quick text message.
The general opinion in this room is that we'd all rather be in bed.
الرأي العام في هذه الغرفة هو أننا جميعاً نفضل أن نكون في السرير.
Using a formal-sounding phrase for a funny, relatable truth.
It is hard to change the general opinion once people have made up their minds.
من الصعب تغيير الرأي العام بمجرد أن يحسم الناس أمرهم.
Reflecting on the difficulty of changing public perception.
Despite the high price, the general opinion is that it's worth the investment.
على الرغم من السعر المرتفع، فإن الرأي العام هو أنه يستحق الاستثمار.
Summarizing market feedback.
Teste-se
Choose the best word to complete the sentence about a popular trend.
The ___ opinion is that electric cars are the future of transport.
We use 'general' to describe a broad, shared view among many people.
Which verb fits best with this phrase in a professional context?
Our marketing team needs to ___ the general opinion of our target audience.
To 'gauge' means to measure or assess, which is commonly used with 'general opinion'.
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality Scale of 'General Opinion'
Everyone thinks...
Everyone thinks the food is bad.
General opinion
The general opinion is that the food is bad.
Public consensus
The public consensus indicates the food is subpar.
Where to use 'General Opinion'
Office Meeting
Summarizing client feedback.
Movie Night
Discussing Rotten Tomatoes scores.
News Report
Talking about a new law.
Family Dinner
Deciding on a vacation spot.
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasThey are very similar, but public opinion is usually used for politics or large-scale social issues, while general opinion can be used for smaller things like a movie or a workplace.
Not really. It sounds strange for a tiny group. Use it for a group of at least 5-10 people to justify the word general.
Yes, it is perfectly fine for academic writing, though prevailing view or consensus might sound even more formal.
You could say personal opinion or minority view to describe a thought that most people do not share.
You can ask, "What's the general opinion on the new project?" to get a summary of what everyone thinks.
No, the general opinion can be wrong! It just describes what people *believe*, not necessarily the facts.
It is almost always used in the singular because it represents one collective 'voice' or 'mood'.
It is equally common in both! It is a standard phrase across the English-speaking world.
Absolutely. You can say, "The general opinion was that the presentation was a disaster."
Common verbs include gauge, shape, reflect, influence, and ignore.
Frases relacionadas
Public consensus
A general agreement among the public.
Common knowledge
Something that everyone knows to be true.
Popular belief
An idea that many people hold, often used when that idea might be wrong.
The word on the street
Informal rumors or the current social vibe about a topic.
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