# The meaning of “In general” in mathematics

What is the meaning of "in general" in mathematical texts? Does it mean usually or it means always or sometimes usually and sometimes always according to the text?

• In general means for all other cases.. Context of course matters... – user87543 Oct 28 '14 at 4:18
• @PraphullaKoushik so: in general, in general means for all other cases – Omnomnomnom Oct 28 '14 at 4:51
• Is there a specific example of the word popping up that you had in mind? – Omnomnomnom Oct 28 '14 at 4:51
• In general, it means in general, except, of course, when it doesn't. – copper.hat Oct 28 '14 at 5:09
• I think the OP might be confused by the following usage: One sometimes writes "In general, continuous functions are not differentiable". In conjunction with the not, such a statement has the be read as "the general assertion that continuity implies differentiability is false". It does not mean that a continuous function is never differentiable. – PhoemueX Oct 28 '14 at 5:46