as the general rule vs as a general rule

Both "as the general rule" and "as a general rule" are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "As a general rule" is the more common and idiomatic phrase, indicating a commonly accepted principle or guideline. On the other hand, "as the general rule" could be used in a specific context where there is a particular rule that is being referred to.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 725 views

as the general rule

This phrase is correct but less common than "as a general rule." It could be used in a specific context where a particular rule is being referred to.

This phrase could be used when referring to a specific rule that is well-known or established in a particular context.

Show examples from the web [+]

Chapter II is devoted to the automatic exchange of information and specifies this as the general rule when sharing current information between tax administrations.
I do not think that we should present cases of abuse as the general rule and harm the property rights of the forests' owners who have already been affected by a forest fire.
It is incorrect to present Article 12(3) TRLIS as the general rule for amortisation of financial goodwill since this Article refers to the deduction of shareholdings in non-listed entities.
To increase the efficiency of the European Voluntary Service, the rapporteur proposes setting a minimum period of two months as the general rule.
The PDB 2010 anticipates an amount of EUR 16,9 million withhold from the 2009 tobacco aid as the general rule for direct aids foresees contributions to be paid the year after their eligibility.
(b) confirmation of the rule of unanimity plus constructive abstention instead of qualified majority vote (QMV) as the general rule for CFSP (Articles I-41(4) and III-300);
The document under review proposes to maintain the place of establishment of the service provider as the general rule, in the case of services provided to non-taxable persons.

Alternatives:

as a general rule
as a rule
as a standard practice
as a customary rule
as a typical rule

as a general rule

This phrase is the more common and idiomatic way to express a commonly accepted principle or guideline.

This phrase is used to introduce a statement that is generally true or applicable in most cases.

Show examples from the web [+]

The proportionality principle applies as a general rule.
Administrative decisions shall not, as a general rule, give rise to consultations.
The Commission would recall that as a general rule tax relief confined to certain activities or certain firms could constitute state aid.
The Directorate-General shall send out the agenda to the organisations as a general rule 20 working days before the meeting, preferably by electronic means.
Outside these two stages of the procedure, as a general rule, there is no access to personal information.
Pressure equipment and assemblies should, as a general rule, bear the CE marking.
The Authority recalls that, as a general rule, the tax system of an EFTA State itself is not covered by the EEA Agreement.
Paragraph 3.2.3 of those Guidelines stated that as a general rule aid for environmental investment could be authorised up to specific levels.
Let's drink to forgiveness as a general rule.
Medicinal products subject to prescription should as a general rule bear the safety features.
Curly didn't say much as a general rule.
Administrative arrangements shall as a general rule take the form of an Exchange of Letters.
Late registrations via normal e-mail will not be accepted as a general rule.
Complementary to amendment 21 by the rapporteur which establishes the waste hierarchy as a general rule.
Animals that are presented to a slaughterhouse for slaughter must as a general rule be slaughtered there.
The following provisions apply as a general rule.
But as a general rule scruffy minds don't commit murder.
Your Rapporteur proposes as a general rule the following guidelines:
Since a manufacturer cannot as a general rule be regarded as impartial, it is more appropriate to entrust this assessment to an independent third party.
As a consequence, projects and activities will be selected, as a general rule, by means of open calls for proposals.

Alternatives:

as the general rule
as a rule
as a standard practice
as a customary rule
as a typical rule

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9).

"Thank you!"
Sachi Nakama July 2024
"I have literally been through chat, PI, claude, bard and bing and I got conflicting answers! Thank you! Human intelligence reigns!"
Retha July 2024
"Faster than AI"
CYNTHIA December 2023
"This was very helpful and I personally think this site is the best."
Kaden October 2023
"It was extremely thorough and very helpful!"
imperialelisa October 2023
"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"
Zubair Alam October 2023
"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."
Selena October 2023
"Without textranch I would be stuck!"
宏祐 October 2023
"Accuracy and fast response. Personal comments from editor. Thank you."
Clh September 2023
"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"
Arturo September 2023
"The fact that you can get reliable fast feedback on your texts."
Vinicius Antonio August 2023
"you guys are better than grammarly i'm being honest here"
ordinary July 2023
"OMG! This is really good than any other text correction tools I've used so far. Highly recommend this."
Vehan July 2023
"Very fast and accurate. thank you."
mojtaba July 2023
"I love this app because it's help to writing skills all of students ♥️"
Tarisini July 2023
"This was exactly the mistake I was looking for, the wording dind´t sound right at first. Better than grammarly!"
Ente July 2023
"The immediate help that I received was reassuring and very satisfactory. Thanks."
priiiyanshuu July 2023
"this helps A LOT for my studies."
kathnunez02 June 2023
"Woow!! I would never have expected such precision! Thank you soooo much!!"
Berta June 2023
"Real Time Editor and not AI. Many Thanks."
Priya June 2023
"The very first thing excites me about Textranch is how much your editors care."
sepideh June 2023
"The fact that texts are checked by human editors rather than by AI, etc. I appreciate this!"
Анна June 2023
"Feel welcome, immediate response, high quality feedback"
martin.roy June 2023
"This is the best app that I have ever seen"
Burulai May 2023

as the general rule vs as a general rule