Facts vs. Generalizations

Question

Hello,We normally use the present tense for statements of facts or genalizations.  My question is: how is facts different from generalizations?My teacher is very helpful.  Fact or generalization?His success is the reward of his dedication to work.  Fact or generalization?He takes vitamins every day.  Fact or generalization?I would appreciate if you could also give better examples of facts and generalizations.  Thank you.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

We normally use the present tense for statements of facts or genalizations. My question is: how is facts different from generalizations?

My teacher is very helpful. Fact or generalization?

His success is the reward of his dedication to work. Fact or generalization?

He takes vitamins every day. Fact or generalization?

I would appreciate if you could also give better examples of facts and generalizations.

Here are a few examples to explain how I see it.

Soccer is a sport that involves a ball. Fact.

Tom loves sports. May be a fact, but could also be considered simply an assertion. Maybe another person would say that Tom does not love sports. Use the Present tense for such assertions.

All men love sports. Generalization, ie it speaks of men in a general way.

If you look at your examples in this way, you can consider them as either facts or assertions, but not generalizations.

Best wishes, Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Hi Clive,

Thank you for your helpful response.
Just a question... when we say 'assertion', is it a person's belief which may or may not be true?
It may or may not be a fact?

Thanks.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Yes, that's the idea.

eg an assertion seems to state a fact, but the speaker may (eg) be mistaken, or telling a lie.

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

Okay, thanks Clive for that clarification.  I really appreciate it. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Anonymous · Answer

can you give me some more example on Genralizations

Clive · Answer

Can you try first, please?

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymous~~how is~~ How are facts different from generalizations?

Generalizations are statements which apply to an entire group of entities. The subject of a generalization is usually a generic noun, often a plural. A fact is simply a true statement.

Generalization / Not a generalization
Dogs bark at strangers. / My dog Rex barked at the mailman yesterday.
Everybody likes cheese. / We're having macaroni and cheese for dinner.
Whales are not mammals. / I have never seen a whale except in photos.

As it turns out, some generalizations are not facts because they are false. For example, "Whales are not mammals" is a false generalization. It is not a fact. In contrast, the generalization "Whales are mammals" is a fact because it's true; it's a true generalization.

CJ

Clive · Answer

You can still try, if you want to.

Anonymous · Answer

Generalization / Not a generalization
Dogs bark at strangers. -Generalization
My dog Rex barked at the mailman yesterday.-Not a Generalization
Everybody likes cheese. - Generalization
We're having macaroni and cheese for dinner.-Not a Generalization
Whales are not mammals.- Generalization
I have never seen a whale except in photos. -Not a Generalization

Anonymous · Answer

Can you provided difference between facts , generalization and assertion (with examples) in tabulation form or long explanations so I can notes down in my book for future reference.

Facts vs. Generalizations

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