Generalized Conversational Implicature

Generalized conversational implicature has no special context in conversation. Grice (1975) as quoted in Levinson (2000) said in generalized conversational implicature, the speaker has failed to be specific in a way in which he might have been expected to be specific with the consequence that is likely to be assumed that he is not in a position to be specific. Generalized conversational implicature occur without reference to any particular features of the context, Levinson (1983). According to Levinson, generalized conversational implicature happens to any kinds of context in conversation, sometimes it happens when the speaker wants to give more than one meaning to listener. It can be seen in the example below : 

Boss : "Will John be at the meeting this afternoon ?"

+) Michael :"His car broke down."

In this conversation, Michael meant that John will not come to the meeting, because he got some troubles with his car, or John may come late to the meeting. This conversation occur when the second speaker wants to give a clear reason or explanation to his boss and then it is called by generalized conversational implicature.