An adjective for a word/phrase when speaking in generalities











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Does anyone know of a specific adjective that one could use to describe a word or phrase that is uttered in a general sense and not meant to be taken personally by the interlocutor?



Example in a short conversation:




  • I’m sorry, but I just don’t have time to do all she asks.

  • (having taken “I’m sorry” personally) You don’t have to be sorry.

  • It was a _______ “I’m sorry.”


I’m not sure if this is specific enough, but we’ll start here and see what you guys think.










share|improve this question






















  • I'm sorry but your example simply doesn't work. However true either of the first sentences, the third is quite out of proportion. If the Question is truly interesting, can't you find a real example… or a realistic contrivance?
    – Robbie Goodwin
    Feb 27 at 3:59










  • I apologize, but that IS real example; it came from an actual conversation between two people in which the speaker of the first and third comments paused, looked at me, and said, “How would you call that type of ‘sorry’?”
    – Brian Gravely
    Mar 19 at 14:41






  • 1




    Please first notice there is no place there for “(having taken “I’m sorry” personally)” If you think there is, please explain what difference it makes before “You don’t have to be sorry.” With or without the preamble, “It was a _______ ‘I’m sorry.’ ” has no obvious meaning, much less one relevant to your Question, for the simple reason that the example shows no word or phrase uttered in a general sense and not meant to be taken personally by anyone.
    – Robbie Goodwin
    Mar 19 at 19:43










  • The word you’re looking for is phatic.
    – Dan Bron
    Nov 12 at 22:23










  • @DanBron That’s it! Thank you!
    – Brian Gravely
    Nov 12 at 22:28















up vote
0
down vote

favorite
1












Does anyone know of a specific adjective that one could use to describe a word or phrase that is uttered in a general sense and not meant to be taken personally by the interlocutor?



Example in a short conversation:




  • I’m sorry, but I just don’t have time to do all she asks.

  • (having taken “I’m sorry” personally) You don’t have to be sorry.

  • It was a _______ “I’m sorry.”


I’m not sure if this is specific enough, but we’ll start here and see what you guys think.










share|improve this question






















  • I'm sorry but your example simply doesn't work. However true either of the first sentences, the third is quite out of proportion. If the Question is truly interesting, can't you find a real example… or a realistic contrivance?
    – Robbie Goodwin
    Feb 27 at 3:59










  • I apologize, but that IS real example; it came from an actual conversation between two people in which the speaker of the first and third comments paused, looked at me, and said, “How would you call that type of ‘sorry’?”
    – Brian Gravely
    Mar 19 at 14:41






  • 1




    Please first notice there is no place there for “(having taken “I’m sorry” personally)” If you think there is, please explain what difference it makes before “You don’t have to be sorry.” With or without the preamble, “It was a _______ ‘I’m sorry.’ ” has no obvious meaning, much less one relevant to your Question, for the simple reason that the example shows no word or phrase uttered in a general sense and not meant to be taken personally by anyone.
    – Robbie Goodwin
    Mar 19 at 19:43










  • The word you’re looking for is phatic.
    – Dan Bron
    Nov 12 at 22:23










  • @DanBron That’s it! Thank you!
    – Brian Gravely
    Nov 12 at 22:28













up vote
0
down vote

favorite
1









up vote
0
down vote

favorite
1






1





Does anyone know of a specific adjective that one could use to describe a word or phrase that is uttered in a general sense and not meant to be taken personally by the interlocutor?



Example in a short conversation:




  • I’m sorry, but I just don’t have time to do all she asks.

  • (having taken “I’m sorry” personally) You don’t have to be sorry.

  • It was a _______ “I’m sorry.”


I’m not sure if this is specific enough, but we’ll start here and see what you guys think.










share|improve this question













Does anyone know of a specific adjective that one could use to describe a word or phrase that is uttered in a general sense and not meant to be taken personally by the interlocutor?



Example in a short conversation:




  • I’m sorry, but I just don’t have time to do all she asks.

  • (having taken “I’m sorry” personally) You don’t have to be sorry.

  • It was a _______ “I’m sorry.”


I’m not sure if this is specific enough, but we’ll start here and see what you guys think.







phrases expressions adjectives






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Feb 14 at 14:15









Brian Gravely

11




11












  • I'm sorry but your example simply doesn't work. However true either of the first sentences, the third is quite out of proportion. If the Question is truly interesting, can't you find a real example… or a realistic contrivance?
    – Robbie Goodwin
    Feb 27 at 3:59










  • I apologize, but that IS real example; it came from an actual conversation between two people in which the speaker of the first and third comments paused, looked at me, and said, “How would you call that type of ‘sorry’?”
    – Brian Gravely
    Mar 19 at 14:41






  • 1




    Please first notice there is no place there for “(having taken “I’m sorry” personally)” If you think there is, please explain what difference it makes before “You don’t have to be sorry.” With or without the preamble, “It was a _______ ‘I’m sorry.’ ” has no obvious meaning, much less one relevant to your Question, for the simple reason that the example shows no word or phrase uttered in a general sense and not meant to be taken personally by anyone.
    – Robbie Goodwin
    Mar 19 at 19:43










  • The word you’re looking for is phatic.
    – Dan Bron
    Nov 12 at 22:23










  • @DanBron That’s it! Thank you!
    – Brian Gravely
    Nov 12 at 22:28


















  • I'm sorry but your example simply doesn't work. However true either of the first sentences, the third is quite out of proportion. If the Question is truly interesting, can't you find a real example… or a realistic contrivance?
    – Robbie Goodwin
    Feb 27 at 3:59










  • I apologize, but that IS real example; it came from an actual conversation between two people in which the speaker of the first and third comments paused, looked at me, and said, “How would you call that type of ‘sorry’?”
    – Brian Gravely
    Mar 19 at 14:41






  • 1




    Please first notice there is no place there for “(having taken “I’m sorry” personally)” If you think there is, please explain what difference it makes before “You don’t have to be sorry.” With or without the preamble, “It was a _______ ‘I’m sorry.’ ” has no obvious meaning, much less one relevant to your Question, for the simple reason that the example shows no word or phrase uttered in a general sense and not meant to be taken personally by anyone.
    – Robbie Goodwin
    Mar 19 at 19:43










  • The word you’re looking for is phatic.
    – Dan Bron
    Nov 12 at 22:23










  • @DanBron That’s it! Thank you!
    – Brian Gravely
    Nov 12 at 22:28
















I'm sorry but your example simply doesn't work. However true either of the first sentences, the third is quite out of proportion. If the Question is truly interesting, can't you find a real example… or a realistic contrivance?
– Robbie Goodwin
Feb 27 at 3:59




I'm sorry but your example simply doesn't work. However true either of the first sentences, the third is quite out of proportion. If the Question is truly interesting, can't you find a real example… or a realistic contrivance?
– Robbie Goodwin
Feb 27 at 3:59












I apologize, but that IS real example; it came from an actual conversation between two people in which the speaker of the first and third comments paused, looked at me, and said, “How would you call that type of ‘sorry’?”
– Brian Gravely
Mar 19 at 14:41




I apologize, but that IS real example; it came from an actual conversation between two people in which the speaker of the first and third comments paused, looked at me, and said, “How would you call that type of ‘sorry’?”
– Brian Gravely
Mar 19 at 14:41




1




1




Please first notice there is no place there for “(having taken “I’m sorry” personally)” If you think there is, please explain what difference it makes before “You don’t have to be sorry.” With or without the preamble, “It was a _______ ‘I’m sorry.’ ” has no obvious meaning, much less one relevant to your Question, for the simple reason that the example shows no word or phrase uttered in a general sense and not meant to be taken personally by anyone.
– Robbie Goodwin
Mar 19 at 19:43




Please first notice there is no place there for “(having taken “I’m sorry” personally)” If you think there is, please explain what difference it makes before “You don’t have to be sorry.” With or without the preamble, “It was a _______ ‘I’m sorry.’ ” has no obvious meaning, much less one relevant to your Question, for the simple reason that the example shows no word or phrase uttered in a general sense and not meant to be taken personally by anyone.
– Robbie Goodwin
Mar 19 at 19:43












The word you’re looking for is phatic.
– Dan Bron
Nov 12 at 22:23




The word you’re looking for is phatic.
– Dan Bron
Nov 12 at 22:23












@DanBron That’s it! Thank you!
– Brian Gravely
Nov 12 at 22:28




@DanBron That’s it! Thank you!
– Brian Gravely
Nov 12 at 22:28










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
1
down vote













'It was a generic "I'm sorry." '




generic adjective



1 ... not specific.




[ODO]



Collins adds the synonym 'general', but that doesn't quite work here.






share|improve this answer




























    up vote
    0
    down vote













    While your question can be improved upon I can understand the difficulty in finding the words.



    I believe that your use of "sorry" might be fairly described as more of an interjection, yet saying that would not help another understand.



    Other approaches: something that you did not mean to be taken literally would be to say your meant something 'figuratively'




    figuratively from Merriam Websters online



    a : with a meaning that is metaphorical rather than literal



    Speaking of panic, I recently ran into (figuratively, not literally) a friend who was ranting about giant "bees" digging holes in his lawn. —Ron Kujawski



    Poor small-town America. During the last gasps of this fevered election, pollsters, zealous campaign foot soldiers and reporters are kicking down its doors, figuratively speaking … —Doug Colligan




    Now, strictly speaking, you did NOT use the word figuratively, but because we understand figuratively to basically mean ~not exactly what it means~, I think the word would make the general point.



    Another way of describing your use would be to call it a 'rhetorical flourish'.



    We most commonly think of "rhetorically" describing question you do not mean to have answered, but if you had said,"I meant the word 'sorry' rhetorically", I think that would also get the point across that the word wasn't meant to be taken strictly.




    rhetorical from Websters



    1 a : of, relating to, or concerned with rhetoric



    b : employed for rhetorical effect; especially : asked merely for effect with no answer expected




    for your example




    I meant the word "sorry" more figuratively.



    I meant 'sorry' more rhetorically.




    Apologizing for wording is always awkward though - eliminating the 'I'm sorry' interjection probably would be a good speech habit. (it can come off as less-confident or alternatively a bit patronizing)






    share|improve this answer






























      up vote
      0
      down vote













      In the comments user DanBron said:




      The word you’re looking for is phatic.




      Macmillan Dictionary gives the following definition and example sentences:




      phatic



      adjective linguistics /ˈfætɪk/



      used for describing words or phrases that you use for social reasons, for example in order to be friendly, rather than in order to give information



      Phatic language doesn’t really convey any information. Its function is social.



      This kind of communication is largely phatic, it bonds people together for social or familial purposes.







      share|improve this answer























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        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

        votes








        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes








        up vote
        1
        down vote













        'It was a generic "I'm sorry." '




        generic adjective



        1 ... not specific.




        [ODO]



        Collins adds the synonym 'general', but that doesn't quite work here.






        share|improve this answer

























          up vote
          1
          down vote













          'It was a generic "I'm sorry." '




          generic adjective



          1 ... not specific.




          [ODO]



          Collins adds the synonym 'general', but that doesn't quite work here.






          share|improve this answer























            up vote
            1
            down vote










            up vote
            1
            down vote









            'It was a generic "I'm sorry." '




            generic adjective



            1 ... not specific.




            [ODO]



            Collins adds the synonym 'general', but that doesn't quite work here.






            share|improve this answer












            'It was a generic "I'm sorry." '




            generic adjective



            1 ... not specific.




            [ODO]



            Collins adds the synonym 'general', but that doesn't quite work here.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Feb 14 at 16:18









            Edwin Ashworth

            48.8k987152




            48.8k987152
























                up vote
                0
                down vote













                While your question can be improved upon I can understand the difficulty in finding the words.



                I believe that your use of "sorry" might be fairly described as more of an interjection, yet saying that would not help another understand.



                Other approaches: something that you did not mean to be taken literally would be to say your meant something 'figuratively'




                figuratively from Merriam Websters online



                a : with a meaning that is metaphorical rather than literal



                Speaking of panic, I recently ran into (figuratively, not literally) a friend who was ranting about giant "bees" digging holes in his lawn. —Ron Kujawski



                Poor small-town America. During the last gasps of this fevered election, pollsters, zealous campaign foot soldiers and reporters are kicking down its doors, figuratively speaking … —Doug Colligan




                Now, strictly speaking, you did NOT use the word figuratively, but because we understand figuratively to basically mean ~not exactly what it means~, I think the word would make the general point.



                Another way of describing your use would be to call it a 'rhetorical flourish'.



                We most commonly think of "rhetorically" describing question you do not mean to have answered, but if you had said,"I meant the word 'sorry' rhetorically", I think that would also get the point across that the word wasn't meant to be taken strictly.




                rhetorical from Websters



                1 a : of, relating to, or concerned with rhetoric



                b : employed for rhetorical effect; especially : asked merely for effect with no answer expected




                for your example




                I meant the word "sorry" more figuratively.



                I meant 'sorry' more rhetorically.




                Apologizing for wording is always awkward though - eliminating the 'I'm sorry' interjection probably would be a good speech habit. (it can come off as less-confident or alternatively a bit patronizing)






                share|improve this answer



























                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote













                  While your question can be improved upon I can understand the difficulty in finding the words.



                  I believe that your use of "sorry" might be fairly described as more of an interjection, yet saying that would not help another understand.



                  Other approaches: something that you did not mean to be taken literally would be to say your meant something 'figuratively'




                  figuratively from Merriam Websters online



                  a : with a meaning that is metaphorical rather than literal



                  Speaking of panic, I recently ran into (figuratively, not literally) a friend who was ranting about giant "bees" digging holes in his lawn. —Ron Kujawski



                  Poor small-town America. During the last gasps of this fevered election, pollsters, zealous campaign foot soldiers and reporters are kicking down its doors, figuratively speaking … —Doug Colligan




                  Now, strictly speaking, you did NOT use the word figuratively, but because we understand figuratively to basically mean ~not exactly what it means~, I think the word would make the general point.



                  Another way of describing your use would be to call it a 'rhetorical flourish'.



                  We most commonly think of "rhetorically" describing question you do not mean to have answered, but if you had said,"I meant the word 'sorry' rhetorically", I think that would also get the point across that the word wasn't meant to be taken strictly.




                  rhetorical from Websters



                  1 a : of, relating to, or concerned with rhetoric



                  b : employed for rhetorical effect; especially : asked merely for effect with no answer expected




                  for your example




                  I meant the word "sorry" more figuratively.



                  I meant 'sorry' more rhetorically.




                  Apologizing for wording is always awkward though - eliminating the 'I'm sorry' interjection probably would be a good speech habit. (it can come off as less-confident or alternatively a bit patronizing)






                  share|improve this answer

























                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote









                    While your question can be improved upon I can understand the difficulty in finding the words.



                    I believe that your use of "sorry" might be fairly described as more of an interjection, yet saying that would not help another understand.



                    Other approaches: something that you did not mean to be taken literally would be to say your meant something 'figuratively'




                    figuratively from Merriam Websters online



                    a : with a meaning that is metaphorical rather than literal



                    Speaking of panic, I recently ran into (figuratively, not literally) a friend who was ranting about giant "bees" digging holes in his lawn. —Ron Kujawski



                    Poor small-town America. During the last gasps of this fevered election, pollsters, zealous campaign foot soldiers and reporters are kicking down its doors, figuratively speaking … —Doug Colligan




                    Now, strictly speaking, you did NOT use the word figuratively, but because we understand figuratively to basically mean ~not exactly what it means~, I think the word would make the general point.



                    Another way of describing your use would be to call it a 'rhetorical flourish'.



                    We most commonly think of "rhetorically" describing question you do not mean to have answered, but if you had said,"I meant the word 'sorry' rhetorically", I think that would also get the point across that the word wasn't meant to be taken strictly.




                    rhetorical from Websters



                    1 a : of, relating to, or concerned with rhetoric



                    b : employed for rhetorical effect; especially : asked merely for effect with no answer expected




                    for your example




                    I meant the word "sorry" more figuratively.



                    I meant 'sorry' more rhetorically.




                    Apologizing for wording is always awkward though - eliminating the 'I'm sorry' interjection probably would be a good speech habit. (it can come off as less-confident or alternatively a bit patronizing)






                    share|improve this answer














                    While your question can be improved upon I can understand the difficulty in finding the words.



                    I believe that your use of "sorry" might be fairly described as more of an interjection, yet saying that would not help another understand.



                    Other approaches: something that you did not mean to be taken literally would be to say your meant something 'figuratively'




                    figuratively from Merriam Websters online



                    a : with a meaning that is metaphorical rather than literal



                    Speaking of panic, I recently ran into (figuratively, not literally) a friend who was ranting about giant "bees" digging holes in his lawn. —Ron Kujawski



                    Poor small-town America. During the last gasps of this fevered election, pollsters, zealous campaign foot soldiers and reporters are kicking down its doors, figuratively speaking … —Doug Colligan




                    Now, strictly speaking, you did NOT use the word figuratively, but because we understand figuratively to basically mean ~not exactly what it means~, I think the word would make the general point.



                    Another way of describing your use would be to call it a 'rhetorical flourish'.



                    We most commonly think of "rhetorically" describing question you do not mean to have answered, but if you had said,"I meant the word 'sorry' rhetorically", I think that would also get the point across that the word wasn't meant to be taken strictly.




                    rhetorical from Websters



                    1 a : of, relating to, or concerned with rhetoric



                    b : employed for rhetorical effect; especially : asked merely for effect with no answer expected




                    for your example




                    I meant the word "sorry" more figuratively.



                    I meant 'sorry' more rhetorically.




                    Apologizing for wording is always awkward though - eliminating the 'I'm sorry' interjection probably would be a good speech habit. (it can come off as less-confident or alternatively a bit patronizing)







                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    edited May 16 at 1:56

























                    answered May 16 at 1:47









                    Tom22

                    5,6541026




                    5,6541026






















                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote













                        In the comments user DanBron said:




                        The word you’re looking for is phatic.




                        Macmillan Dictionary gives the following definition and example sentences:




                        phatic



                        adjective linguistics /ˈfætɪk/



                        used for describing words or phrases that you use for social reasons, for example in order to be friendly, rather than in order to give information



                        Phatic language doesn’t really convey any information. Its function is social.



                        This kind of communication is largely phatic, it bonds people together for social or familial purposes.







                        share|improve this answer



























                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote













                          In the comments user DanBron said:




                          The word you’re looking for is phatic.




                          Macmillan Dictionary gives the following definition and example sentences:




                          phatic



                          adjective linguistics /ˈfætɪk/



                          used for describing words or phrases that you use for social reasons, for example in order to be friendly, rather than in order to give information



                          Phatic language doesn’t really convey any information. Its function is social.



                          This kind of communication is largely phatic, it bonds people together for social or familial purposes.







                          share|improve this answer

























                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote









                            In the comments user DanBron said:




                            The word you’re looking for is phatic.




                            Macmillan Dictionary gives the following definition and example sentences:




                            phatic



                            adjective linguistics /ˈfætɪk/



                            used for describing words or phrases that you use for social reasons, for example in order to be friendly, rather than in order to give information



                            Phatic language doesn’t really convey any information. Its function is social.



                            This kind of communication is largely phatic, it bonds people together for social or familial purposes.







                            share|improve this answer














                            In the comments user DanBron said:




                            The word you’re looking for is phatic.




                            Macmillan Dictionary gives the following definition and example sentences:




                            phatic



                            adjective linguistics /ˈfætɪk/



                            used for describing words or phrases that you use for social reasons, for example in order to be friendly, rather than in order to give information



                            Phatic language doesn’t really convey any information. Its function is social.



                            This kind of communication is largely phatic, it bonds people together for social or familial purposes.








                            share|improve this answer














                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer








                            answered Dec 12 at 22:27


























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