过度概括是指由一个偶然事例而得出一种极端信信念并将之不适当地应用于不相似的事件或情境中，第二语言习得学习者常犯的一个错误。
过度概括的定义
Over generalization : the use of previously available strategies in new situations.
实质
过度概括的实质是语内转移，和母语转移策略、简化策略一起，是外语的学习策略，是建立和检验假设，构造中介语体系的一种方法。
举例
英语举例如下：
a. Jane advised me to give up smoking.
The learner may infer
b. Jane told me to give up smoking.
Yet it will be misleading and inappropriate to infer
c. * Jane suggested me to give up smoking.错
d. The girl is in a blue ski jacket.
e. The girl is dressed in a blue ski jacket.
f. * The girl is worn in a blue ski jacket. 错