The country has to import almost all of its oil.
Nearly all the children interviewed said that they are worried about what will happen in the future.
Magnesium is found in virtually all foods. STUDY NOTE: Grammar
Don't say 'the most people/things', when you mean 'most people/things'. For example, don't say 'The most people live in towns', when you mean: Most people live in towns.
the majority noun [singular] more than half of a group of the people or things in a large group:
The majority of crimes are never reported to the police.
The vast majority of Algerians are Muslim. (=almost all Algerians are Muslim)
STUDY NOTE: Grammar
The majority of is usually followed by a countable noun in the plural, but sometimes it can be followed by an uncountable noun which refers to a group of things or people: Can the president order a military operation in another country if the majority of the legislature opposes the action?
in general used when saying that something is true about most of a group of people or things:
Men, in general, are just as good at looking after children as women.
In general, teenagers from poor families are less likely to go to university.
In general, smaller firms are more flexible.
generally adverb used when saying that something is true about most of a group of people or things. Generally is also used when saying that most people have a particular opinion:
Generally, part-time workers receive lower wages than full-time workers.
People generally are living longer.
Newton is generally regarded as the father of modern science.
It is now generally accepted that even the smallest dose of radiation carries a health risk.
generally speaking / broadly speaking / as a rule used when making general statements about what usually happens or is usually true:
Generally speaking, female workers are less likely to strike.
People in the US are, generally speaking, not very well informed about international politics.
As a rule, snakes have simple teeth, all roughly the same shape.
The surface of Mercury, broadly speaking, can be divided into two types of land area.
for the most part used when saying that something is true in most cases, but not in every case:
These problems have, for the most part, been resolved.
For the most part, local people welcomed the plan.
by and large / in the main / on the whole used when saying that something is true in most ways, or in most cases:
The scheme was by and large a success.
On the whole, the system worked well.
The people on the whole were very friendly.
The pictures are, in the main, portraits.
2. To say that something is true about most people or things
generalize verb [intransitive] to make a general statement, in which you say that something is true about most people or things:
It is clearly a mistake to generalize from only a few examples.
It is difficult to generalize about the American police, because there are over 40,000 police departments in the US.
generalization noun [countable] a statement in which you say that something is true about most people or things:
Social scientists try to make generalizations about society, based on the best available evidence.
A lot of misleading generalizations have been made about the differences between men and women.
English people love animals. As a broad generalization, there is much truth in this statement. (=a generalization which has many exceptions, but which gives you a general idea about a group of people or things)
When people say things like "the theatre is for everyone", this seems rather a sweeping generalization. (=a statement that seems exaggerated and likely to be wrong)
Problems & Solutions
Problems
Small problems
Solutions
1. Problems
problem noun [countable] a situation that must be dealt with because it is causing harm or inconvenience, or because it is stopping you from doing what you want to do:
Britain faced enormous economic and social problems after the war.
Classroom discipline is a serious problem in many schools.
A special force was set up to try to deal with the problem of gun crime.
The sooner this problem is solved (=successfully dealt with), the better.
The US government needs to do more to help tackle the problem (=deal with the problem) of global warming.
It is in everyone's interest to address the problem (=find ways of solving the problem) of global poverty.
The engineers say that they have fixed all the technical problems that could have caused the accident.
Professor Murray believes that the root of the problem lies (=the origin of the problem is) in a basic fault in the car's design.
Problems can arise (=problems can happen) when people try to defend themselves in court without help from a lawyer.
issue noun [countable] a problem that needs to be dealt with, or a subject that is important and needs to be discussed:
International terrorism is the biggest issue (=the most important issue) facing the world today.
Security is an important issue when buying things on the internet.
Previous governments failed to address (=try to deal with) social issues such as unemployment and homelessness.
The issue can only be resolved (=be successfully dealt with) through negotiation between the two sides.
Nuclear power is a highly controversial issue (=one that causes a lot of public argument and disagreement) in the UK.
Immigration could be a key issue (=a very important issue) at the next election. STUDY NOTE: Grammar
Issue is used especially about problems that affect a lot of people in society. It is also often used instead of the word problem because it sounds less negative.
challenge noun [countable] something difficult that you must do or deal with, which needs a lot of skill, effort, and determination:
Understanding the brain is one of the biggest challenges in science.
She said she was looking forward to the challenge of starting up a new business on her own.
The Colombian government knows that it faces huge challenges if it is to win the war on drugs.
STUDY NOTE: Grammar
Challenge is used especially when talking about something that sounds exciting and interesting, because it will take a lot of effort and skill.