Universally acknowledged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Universally acknowledged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a widely accepted truth or belief that is recognized by everyone. Example: "It is universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This truth is now universally acknowledged.

The Times

The usefulness was not universally acknowledged.

The New Yorker

He was, however, universally acknowledged as his country's intellectual voice.

Stanford University

This historical pattern has been universally acknowledged and universally ignored.

The New York Times

Mitchell is almost universally acknowledged as the real deal.

The New York Times - Books

The play's brilliance is pretty much universally acknowledged.

The New York Times

You might even say it is a truth universally acknowledged.

The Guardian - Opinion

A self-described Darwinian clock-watcher, he is universally acknowledged as the founder of "circadian" biology.

Stanford University

It is now universally acknowledged that genomes are dynamic structures, subjected to different types of rearrangements.

Brenner's Encyclopedia of Genetics

It's a truth universally acknowledged that capuchin monkeys prefer grapes to cucumbers.

The New Yorker

This is not a truth universally acknowledged in our humdrum world, so lacking in magical fish.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "universally acknowledged", ensure that the claim truly reflects a broad consensus. Avoid using it for opinions or beliefs that are still debated.

Common error

Avoid using "universally acknowledged" when the idea is not genuinely universally accepted. Using it for subjective opinions undermines credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "universally acknowledged" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or clause. It serves to emphasize that a particular fact, idea, or achievement is widely recognized and accepted as true. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "universally acknowledged" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote widespread agreement on a particular matter. As Ludwig AI states, its purpose is to present a truth or idea as something recognized by everyone. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal contexts like news reporting, academic papers, and encyclopedic entries. When using the phrase, ensure that the idea truly enjoys a broad consensus to avoid overstating your claim. Alternatives such as "widely recognized" or "generally accepted" may be more suitable when the agreement is less complete. With a high source quality score and positive expert rating, "universally acknowledged" remains a valuable asset in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Universally recognized

Maintains the sense of "universally" but replaces "acknowledged" with "recognized".

Widely recognized

Replaces "universally" with "widely", suggesting a broad but not necessarily complete acceptance.

Generally accepted

Emphasizes the common acceptance of something, differing slightly in connotation from universal acknowledgement.

Commonly known

Indicates that something is familiar to most people.

A matter of common knowledge

Indicates that something is widely known and understood.

Undisputed

Highlights the lack of disagreement or challenge to a particular fact or idea.

Beyond dispute

Similar to "undisputed" but with a stronger emphasis on the certainty of the matter.

Established fact

Highlights that something is a proven and accepted truth.

Axiomatic

Suggests that something is self-evidently true and requires no proof.

Taken for granted

Emphasizes that something is so widely accepted that it's often not questioned.

FAQs

How can I use "universally acknowledged" in a sentence?

You can use "universally acknowledged" to introduce a fact or idea that is widely accepted, for example: "It is "universally acknowledged" that climate change is a serious threat."

What are some alternatives to "universally acknowledged"?

Alternatives include "widely recognized", "generally accepted", or "commonly known" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "universally acknowledged" in formal writing?

Yes, "universally acknowledged" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when presenting established facts or widely held beliefs. Its formality depends on the context and how it is used.

What's the difference between "universally acknowledged" and "widely accepted"?

"Universally acknowledged" implies a complete agreement, while "widely accepted" suggests a broad but not necessarily complete agreement. The choice depends on the degree of consensus you want to emphasize.