Accepted wisdom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Accepted wisdom" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to widely held beliefs or ideas that are generally accepted as true or valid. Example: "Despite the accepted wisdom that all fats are bad for you, recent studies suggest that some fats can actually be beneficial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Accepted wisdom is clearly wrong.

The Guardian - Music

"Accepted wisdom in the industry is you want a local sharpshooter," said Mr. Carr of Penobscot.

The New York Times

The formation of collagen fibrils from staggered repeats of individual molecules has become "accepted" wisdom.

Biophysical Journal

The accepted wisdom is wrong.

The New York Times

It quickly became accepted wisdom in Kamaishi.

The New York Times

Two connected statistics update the accepted wisdom.

The Guardian

Some of the paper's results challenge accepted wisdom.

The Economist

Look closer, however, and those figures contradict accepted wisdom.

The Economist

But this accepted wisdom is fast becoming out of date.

The New York Times

The leader reiterated the accepted wisdom: keep Zelda's world intact.

The Washington Post

1958 -- "The greatest game ever played," according to accepted wisdom.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Accepted wisdom", be sure to clarify whose wisdom you are referring to, especially in specialized fields.

Common error

Avoid using "Accepted wisdom" as a blanket statement without providing context or evidence. Be specific about the source and scope of the belief you're referencing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Accepted wisdom" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces a concept widely believed to be true, setting the stage for discussion, analysis, or potential challenges to that belief, as supported by examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Accepted wisdom" is a noun phrase used to refer to beliefs or ideas widely accepted as true. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in news, science, and formal business contexts. When using it, be clear about whose wisdom you're referencing and avoid overgeneralization. While it's a common and useful phrase, remember that the "conventional understanding" may not always be accurate and critical evaluation is always a good idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Conventional understanding

Focuses on the widely held understanding or belief about something.

Received wisdom

Indicates that the wisdom has been passed down or inherited from others.

Established belief

Highlights the long-standing nature and acceptance of the belief.

Prevailing view

Emphasizes the current dominant perspective or opinion.

Common knowledge

Indicates that the information is widely known and understood.

General consensus

Refers to an agreement or widespread opinion among a group of people.

Traditional thinking

Highlights the traditional or historical nature of the thought process.

Popular opinion

Emphasizes the widespread popularity and acceptance of the opinion.

Established norm

Focuses on the established standard or pattern of behavior or thought.

The norm

Indicates what is standard, usual, typical, or expected.

FAQs

How can I use "Accepted wisdom" in a sentence?

You can use "Accepted wisdom" to refer to beliefs or ideas generally accepted as true. For example, "Despite the "accepted wisdom", new research suggests a different approach."

What's a good alternative to "Accepted wisdom"?

Alternatives include "conventional understanding", "established belief", or "prevailing view", depending on the specific context.

Is it always accurate to rely on "Accepted wisdom"?

Not necessarily. "Accepted wisdom" can sometimes be based on outdated information or incomplete understanding. Critical evaluation is always recommended.

How does "Accepted wisdom" differ from "common knowledge"?

"Accepted wisdom" refers to beliefs widely accepted within a specific field or group, while "common knowledge" refers to facts generally known by the public.