Linear systems, singularity and not too ramified morphisms

Given a smooth k-variety Y (where k is a field of arbitrary characteristic) and a linear systemL on Y we study the dimension of the singular locus of the general element ofL, both inside and outside the base locus B ofL. We interpret these results from the point of view of the transversality theory, and we improve a result by Speiser about the not too ramified morphisms. Moreover, we show that our results can be applied in some cases where a criterion by Zhang, for the smoothness of the general element ofL, fails. Entrata in Redazione il 15 settembre 1997, e in versione definitiva il 28 ottobre 1999.