to generalize
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to generalize
To draw conclusions about the general case from one individual case or a few cases and make a generally valid statement. This often happens in an inappropriate or oversimplifying way.
Nur weil du eine schlechte Erfahrung gemacht hast, solltest du nicht verallgemeinern und behaupten, alle seien so.
Just because you had a bad experience, you shouldn't generalize and claim that everyone is like that.
The word is made up of the prefix 'ver-', the adjective 'allgemein' (general), and the ending '-ern'. Literally, it means to make something 'allgemein' (general).
Man kann nicht von einem Beispiel auf alle schließen und das Problem so verallgemeinern.
You can't draw conclusions about everyone from one example and generalize the problem like that.
The prefix 'ver-' is inseparable. It remains firmly attached to the verb in all sentence forms and tenses and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
Er hat die Ergebnisse seiner Studie verallgemeinert.
He generalized the results of his study.
In everyday language, 'verallgemeinern' (to generalize) often has a negative meaning. It usually describes an unfair or excessive simplification that leads to a prejudice.
Bitte verallgemeinere nicht; nicht alle Jugendlichen sind so.
Please don't generalize; not all teenagers are like that.
You can recognize the neutral, scientific meaning from the context. When it is about research, data, theories, or principles, 'verallgemeinern' (to generalize) means creating a generally valid rule.
Die Physiker versuchten, ihre Beobachtungen zu einer neuen Theorie zu verallgemeinern.
The physicists tried to generalize their observations into a new theory.
to simplify
'vereinfachen' and 'verallgemeinern' can both lead to details being lost. 'vereinfachen' means making something easier or less complicated. The statement may still apply only to a specific case. 'verallgemeinern' means making a general statement based on one case or a few cases. This can be useful when you formulate a rule for many cases, but it can also be problematic if you judge too quickly. Learners confuse the words because both can make complex things shorter. The important difference is: 'vereinfachen' makes something simpler, while 'verallgemeinern' makes something more general.
Für die Prüfung solltest du die Regel nicht zu stark verallgemeinern.
For the exam, you should not generalize the rule too much.
Nach dem Gespräch hat Mehmet den Plan vereinfacht.
After the conversation, Mehmet simplified the plan.