a common conception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common conception" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing widely held beliefs or ideas that are generally accepted by a group or society. Example: "There is a common conception that success is solely determined by hard work, but many other factors play a role."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

We are bound together because we Americans share a common conception of the future.

The New York Times

There is a common conception that the fuerdai are being groomed to inherit their parents' businesses, but this isn't necessarily the case.

The New Yorker

El capitán It's a common conception in Venezuela that if they are to play in a World Cup they must be able to call on players who are performing regularly in the world's most competitive leagues.

Independent

A people is a group of individuals ruled by a common government, bound together by common sympathies, and firmly attached to a common conception of right and justice.

SEP

The findings go against a common conception that "dumber species will have different genes" for brain development than more intelligent species, Borrell says.

Science Magazine

These two treatments share a common conception of legal obligation as justified imposition by a beneficent superior with access to sanctions.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

One of Newton's principal reasons for distinguishing between an "absolute" (or "mathematical") and a "relative" (or "common") conception of space is to ground a distinction between true and merely relative motion.

SEP

This suggests that a shift in the common conception months could restore balance to the birth rate.

Vice

As a consequence, contrary to the common conception, the fuel cell low frequency resistance Rlf cannot be equal to the slope of the polarization curve RDC (in identical operating conditions).

Electrochimica Acta

Since the common conception of a model organism is changing along with technological advances in genome sequencing and editing, it is difficult to provide a complete list of model organisms; therefore, here we mainly focus on the canonical set of model organisms defined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) during the 1990s.

Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics

A significant obstacle in the rise of legaltech has been the common conception of the legal industry as a traditional sector with a smaller demand for technological innovation.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, clarify whose conception you are referring to. For example, specify "the common conception among scientists" or "the common conception in Western society" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a conception is universally held without evidence. Qualify the statement by specifying the group or context in which the conception is common.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common conception" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It introduces or refers to widely held beliefs or understandings, often preceding a statement that either supports or challenges this view. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common conception" is a noun phrase used to introduce a widely held belief or idea. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to specify whose conception is being referenced and avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives like "a widespread belief" or "a prevailing notion" may be suitable depending on the desired nuance. The phrase is generally neutral to formal in register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a widespread belief

Focuses on the breadth of acceptance rather than the formalized understanding.

a prevailing notion

Highlights the current dominance of the idea.

a general understanding

Emphasizes the broadness of comprehension.

a popular idea

Stresses the widespread acceptance among people.

a conventional wisdom

Implies an idea that is widely accepted and often unchallenged.

a received view

Indicates an idea that is accepted from authority or tradition.

a shared understanding

Highlights the communal agreement on an idea.

an accepted wisdom

Focuses on the fact that the wisdom is recognized.

a traditional idea

Implies that the idea is part of old habits.

an established belief

Implies the belief is rooted in a group.

FAQs

How can I use "a common conception" in a sentence?

You can use "a common conception" to introduce a widely held belief. For instance, "A common conception is that hard work guarantees success, but luck also plays a role."

What are some alternatives to "a common conception"?

Alternatives include "a widespread belief", "a prevailing notion", or "a general understanding", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always accurate to assume something is "a common conception"?

No, it's essential to provide context and evidence. What seems like "a common conception" in one group may not be in another. Always consider the scope and validity of the belief.

How does "a common conception" differ from "a shared understanding"?

"A common conception" refers to a widely held belief, while "a shared understanding" suggests a mutual agreement reached through communication and interaction. The former is broader and may not involve direct agreement.