General vs. Specific — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 13, 2024
General refers to concepts or items that are broad and inclusive, while specific pertains to particular details or instances within a general category.
Difference Between General and Specific
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
General concepts or principles apply broadly across many cases, emphasizing commonalities and overarching themes. For example, general guidelines for healthy eating suggest a balance of nutrients, applicable to many dietary plans. In contrast, specific information drills down into detailed aspects, such as the nutritional content of a particular food item, like an apple. This distinction enables a deeper understanding of how broad principles apply in particular contexts.
While general advice or knowledge provides a foundational understanding, specific details offer precision and relevance to individual circumstances. For instance, general advice on exercise promotes regular physical activity for health, whereas specific instructions, like a 30-minute jogging routine, tailor this advice to individual needs and preferences, enhancing its practical application.
The tension between general and specific also plays out in problem-solving and decision-making. General approaches offer flexibility and adaptability, useful in diverse situations. However, specific strategies are often required for effective solutions, drawing on the particulars of each scenario to address challenges precisely and effectively.
In communication, the choice between general and specific language can significantly impact clarity and understanding. General language can foster inclusivity and broad comprehension, suitable for diverse audiences. Conversely, specific language, while potentially more exclusive, conveys detailed information, essential for clear, targeted communication.
Educationally, the interplay between general and specific knowledge underpins learning strategies. A general curriculum provides students with a broad base of knowledge across subjects, fostering well-roundedness. Specific courses or topics, on the other hand, allow for deep dives into particular areas of interest, facilitating expertise and specialization.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Scope
Broad, encompassing a wide range of items or concepts
Narrow, focusing on particular details or instances
Purpose
To provide an overview or foundational understanding
To offer detailed information or tailored solutions
Application
Flexible, applicable in diverse situations
Precise, relevant to specific circumstances
Communication
Can be more inclusive, but less detailed
Provides clarity through detail, but may be less inclusive
Education
Promotes a broad base of knowledge
Allows for specialization and deep understanding in particular areas
Compare with Definitions
General
Broad in scope, encompassing a wide range of subjects.
General knowledge books cover a variety of topics.
Specific
Clearly defined or identified.
The doctor gave specific instructions for her treatment.
General
Applicable to most cases or situations without being specialized.
The general consensus is that a balanced diet is beneficial for health.
Specific
Pertaining to a particular category or item.
This rule is specific to this game only.
General
Not detailed, providing an overview.
He gave a general description of the event without going into specifics.
Specific
Detailed and precise.
He provided a specific account of the incident.
General
Relating to the main or overall characteristics.
In general, mornings are cooler than afternoons.
Specific
Unique or particular to something.
Each plant has specific growing requirements.
General
Involving basic principles.
The course provides a general introduction to psychology.
Specific
Restricted to one particular thing.
The charity campaign is specific to raising awareness for water conservation.
General
Affecting or concerning all or most people or things; widespread
Books of general interest
The general opinion was that prices would fall
Specific
Clearly defined or identified
Savings were made by increasing the electricity supply only until it met specific development needs
General
Considering or including only the main features or elements of something; not exact or detailed
The arrangements were outlined in very general terms
A general introduction to the subject
Specific
Relating to species or a species
The differences between them can only be on the specific level
General
Chief or principal
The general manager
The Director General of the BBC
Specific
(of a duty or a tax) levied at a fixed rate per physical unit of the thing taxed, regardless of its price.
General
A commander of an army, or an army officer of very high rank.
Specific
Of or denoting a number equal to the ratio of the value of some property of a given substance to the value of the same property of some other substance used as a reference, such as water, or of a vacuum, under equivalent conditions
Specific dielectric strength
General
The general public.
Specific
A medicine or remedy effective in treating a particular disease or part of the body
He grasped at the idea as though she had offered him a specific for cancer
General
Concerned with, applicable to, or affecting the whole or every member of a class or category
"subduing all her impressions as a woman, to something more general" (Virginia Woolf).
Specific
A precise detail
I wish I'd put more thought into the specifics
General
Affecting or characteristic of the majority of those involved; prevalent
General discontent.
Specific
Explicitly set forth; definite
Wrote specific instructions.
General
Of or affecting the entire body
General paralysis.
Specific
Clear or detailed in communicating
Be specific when telling us what you need.
General
Being usually the case; true or applicable in most instances but not all
The general correctness of her decisions.
Specific
Limited, distinctive, or unique
Problems specific to small colleges.
General
Not limited in scope, area, or application
As a general rule.
Specific
Intended for, applying to, or acting on a particular thing
A specific remedy for warts.
General
Not limited to or dealing with one class of things; diversified
General studies.
Specific
Concerned particularly with the subject specified. Often used in combination
"age-specific voting patterns" (A. Dianne Schmidley).
General
Involving only the main features rather than precise details
A general grasp of the subject.
Specific
Relating to, characterizing, or distinguishing a species
A specific name.
General
Highest or superior in rank
The general manager.
Specific
Designating a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition.
General
A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above lieutenant general.
Specific
Having a remedial influence or effect on a particular disease.
General
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
Specific
(Immunology) Having an affinity limited to a particular antibody or antigen.
General
A general officer.
Specific
Designating a customs charge levied on merchandise by unit or weight rather than according to value.
General
A statement, principle, or fact that embraces or is applicable to the whole.
Specific
Designating a commodity rate applicable to the transportation of a single commodity between named points.
General
General anesthesia.
Specific
Something particularly fitted to a use or purpose.
General
(Archaic) The public.
Specific
A remedy intended for a particular ailment or disorder.
General
Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole etc.; as opposed to specific or particular.
Specific
A distinguishing quality or attribute.
General
Applied to a person (as a postmodifier or a normal preceding adjective) to indicate supreme rank, in civil or military titles, and later in other terms; pre-eminent.
Specific
Specifics Distinct items or details; particulars.
General
Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual.
Specific
Explicit or definite.
General
Not limited in use or application; applicable to the whole or every member of a class or category.
Specific
Pertaining to a species, as a taxon or taxa at the rank of species.
General
Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of something, ignoring minor details; indefinite.
Specific
Special, distinctive or unique.
General
Not limited to a specific class; miscellaneous, concerned with all branches of a given subject or area.
Specific
Intended for, or applying to, a particular thing.
General
A general fact or proposition; a generality.
We have dealt with the generals; now let us turn to the particulars.
Specific
Serving to identify a particular thing (often a disease or condition), with little risk of mistaking something else for it.
A highly specific test, specific and nonspecific symptoms
General
(military ranks) The holder of a senior military title, originally designating the commander of an army and now a specific rank falling under field marshal (in the British army) and below general of the army or general of the air force in the US army and air forces.
Specific
Being a remedy for a particular disease on a deeper level, rather than just masking the symptoms
Quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria.
Any improvement in secondary sciatica is probably due to the analgesic action of the sodium salicylate, but in primary sciatica, in all likelihood “rheumatic,” the effect of the sodium salicylate appears to be specific rather than symptomatic.
General
A great strategist or tactician.
Hannibal was one of the greatest generals of the ancient world.
Specific
(immunology) limited to a particular antibody or antigen.
General
(Christianity) The head of certain religious orders, especially Dominicans or Jesuits.
Specific
(physics) of a value divided by mass (e.g. specific orbital energy)
General
(nautical) A commander of naval forces; an admiral.
Specific
(physics) similarly referring to a value divided by any measure which acts to standardize it (e.g. thrust specific fuel consumption, referring to fuel consumption divided by thrust)
General
A general servant; a maid with no specific duties.
Specific
(physics) a measure compared with a standard reference value by division, to produce a ratio without unit or dimension (e.g. specific refractive index is a pure number, and is relative to that of air)
General
(countable) A general anesthetic.
Specific
A distinguishing attribute or quality.
General
(uncountable) General anesthesia.
Specific
A remedy for a specific disease or condition.
General
The general insurance industry.
I work in general.
Specific
Specification
General
(xiangqi) A xiangqi piece, that is moved one point orthogonally and confined within the palace.
Specific
(in the plural) The details; particulars.
General
To lead (soldiers) as a general.
Specific
Of or pertaining to a species; characterizing or constituting a species; possessing the peculiar property or properties of a thing which constitute its species, and distinguish it from other things; as, the specific form of an animal or a plant; the specific qualities of a drug; the specific distinction between virtue and vice.
Specific difference is that primary attribute which distinguishes each species from one another.
General
(obsolete) In a general or collective manner or sense; in most cases; upon the whole.
Specific
Specifying; definite, or making definite; limited; precise; discriminating; as, a specific statement.
General
Relating to a genus or kind; pertaining to a whole class or order; as, a general law of animal or vegetable economy.
Specific
Exerting a peculiar influence over any part of the body; preventing or curing disease by a peculiar adaptation, and not on general principles; as, quinine is a specific medicine in cases of malaria.
In fact, all medicines will be found specific in the perfection of the science.
General
Comprehending many species or individuals; not special or particular; including all particulars; as, a general inference or conclusion.
Specific
Anything having peculiar adaption to the purpose to which it is applied.
General
Not restrained or limited to a precise import; not specific; vague; indefinite; lax in signification; as, a loose and general expression.
Specific
A fact about some part (as opposed to general);
He always reasons from the particular to the general
General
Common to many, or the greatest number; widely spread; prevalent; extensive, though not universal; as, a general opinion; a general custom.
This general applause and cheerful shoutArgue your wisdom and your love to Richard.
Specific
A medicine that has a mitigating effect on a specific disease;
Quinine is a specific for malaria
General
Having a relation to all; common to the whole; as, Adam, our general sire.
Specific
(sometimes followed by `to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique;
Rules with specific application
Demands specific to the job
A specific and detailed account of the accident
Nonspecific enteritis
General
As a whole; in gross; for the most part.
His general behavior vain, ridiculous.
Specific
Stated explicitly or in detail;
Needed a specific amount
General
Usual; common, on most occasions; as, his general habit or method.
Specific
Relating to or distinguishing or constituting a taxonomic species;
Specific characters
General
The whole; the total; that which comprehends or relates to all, or the chief part; - opposed to particular.
In particulars our knowledge begins, and so spreads itself by degrees to generals.
Specific
Being or affecting a disease produced by a particular microorganism or condition; used also of stains or dyes used in making microscope slides;
Quinine is highly specific for malaria
A specific remedy
A specific stain is one having a specific affinity for particular structural elements
General
One of the chief military officers of a government or country; the commander of an army, of a body of men not less than a brigade. In European armies, the highest military rank next below field marshal.
General
The roll of the drum which calls the troops together; as, to beat the general.
General
The chief of an order of monks, or of all the houses or congregations under the same rule.
General
The public; the people; the vulgar.
General
A general officer of the highest rank
General
The head of a religious order or congregation
General
A fact about the whole (as opposed to particular);
He discussed the general but neglected the particular
He always reasons from the particular to the general
General
Command as a general;
We are generaled by an incompetent!
General
Applying to all or most members of a category or group;
The general public
General assistance
A general rule
In general terms
Comprehensible to the general reader
General
Not specialized or limited to one class of things;
General studies
General knowledge
General
Of national scope;
A general election
General
Prevailing among and common to the general public;
The general discontent
General
Affecting the entire body;
A general anesthetic
General symptoms
General
Somewhat indefinite;
Bearing a general resemblance to the original
A general description of the merchandise
General
Of worldwide scope or applicability;
An issue of cosmopolitan import
The shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time
Universal experience
Common Curiosities
How do general principles apply in specific situations?
General principles provide a foundational framework that can be tailored and applied to specific situations with added details and context.
Why is it important to understand the difference between general and specific?
Understanding this difference is crucial for effective communication, decision-making, and problem-solving, as it influences the clarity and relevance of information.
What defines a general concept?
A general concept is broad and inclusive, covering a wide range of subjects without focusing on detailed specifics.
Is specific information always better than general information?
Not necessarily; the value depends on the context and purpose. Specific information is more detailed, but general information can be more widely applicable.
How does the choice between general and specific affect communication?
Using general terms can make communication more inclusive but less precise, while specific terms increase clarity but might limit comprehension to a smaller audience.
What role do general and specific play in education?
General education provides a broad knowledge base, while specific education allows for deep dives into particular subjects, fostering specialization.
Can general advice be applied to all situations?
General advice provides a baseline approach that may need adjustments to fit specific circumstances more effectively.
Can something be both general and specific?
While they are fundamentally different, some topics can be discussed in both general and specific terms, depending on the context and depth of detail.
How does specific information differ from general information?
Specific information provides detailed and precise details about a particular subject, unlike general information which is broader and less detailed.
How do general and specific perspectives influence problem-solving?
General perspectives offer flexible frameworks, while specific perspectives provide detailed strategies for precise solutions.
In what situations are specifics more crucial than general concepts?
In tasks requiring precision and detailed knowledge, such as technical work or specialized research, specifics are more crucial.
How do general concepts and specifics complement each other in learning?
General concepts provide a framework for understanding, while specifics offer depth and detail, enriching learning and comprehension.
Why might someone prefer general information over specific?
General information is easier to apply broadly and requires less effort to understand, making it preferable in more general contexts.
How do general guidelines aid in understanding complex topics?
They offer a simplified overview, making complex topics more approachable and understandable by highlighting main ideas.
What is the importance of specifics in decision-making?
Specifics provide the detailed information necessary for informed and precise decisions in specific contexts.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Reverse vs. Revert
Next Comparison
Diligence vs. DeterminationAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
