a common opinion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common opinion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a widely held belief or viewpoint among a group of people. Example: "In discussions about climate change, a common opinion is that immediate action is necessary to mitigate its effects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Still, the juries returned verdicts that indicated anything but a common opinion of the proceeding they had witnessed.

The New York Times

This is a common opinion; I hear it all the time from students at the London School of Economics, where I teach.

The Guardian

"When we were in the military regime, we didn't get anything from the government, but we had peace," he said, expressing a common opinion.

The New York Times

She offered a common opinion among the customers one recent morning at P. Gordon Coffee Roasters, just off Exit 21 of the Connecticut Turnpike in Fairfield.

The New York Times

But Kieran Mahoney, a Republican political consultant who has advised Mr. Pataki, reflected a common opinion among Republicans that Mr. Giuliani's comments, however troublesome, were consistent with the mayor's image to many voters.

The New York Times

It is a common opinion in this small south German town of 12,000, where his employees and residents saw Mr. Merckle as a decent, taciturn man who looked after his workers and his community, despite his wealth.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"This is a pretty common opinion in Russia".

The New York Times

A rather common opinion among futurists seems to be that the time horizon of scenarios is longer than the time horizon of roadmaps or plans.

European Journal of Futures Research

A very common opinion is that the ala is the sister of the dragon, and looks more or less like him.

Wikipedia

From a clinical point of view, the common opinion that a primary or secondary generalized seizure has a more severe influence on recovery was not confirmed in the present study.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

The title-page of the French translation of 1582 calls it a paradox and suggests its suitability "to those who frequent the courts of great lords and want to learn how to speak about an infinity of matters in a way contrary to common opinion".

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a common opinion", ensure the context clearly defines the group or community holding that opinion to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a common opinion" as universally accepted without sufficient evidence. Qualify the statement by specifying the group or context where the opinion is prevalent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common opinion" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a statement or belief widely held by a specific group or within a particular context. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across diverse domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

53%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common opinion" is a noun phrase used to introduce a widely held belief or viewpoint. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, including news, science, and business. To ensure clarity, specify the group holding the opinion. Alternatives include "a widespread belief" or "a prevailing view". When writing, avoid overgeneralizing the scope of the opinion and always consider the supporting evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a widespread belief

Focuses on the extent to which the belief is shared.

a prevailing view

Highlights the dominance or current acceptance of the view.

a general consensus

Emphasizes agreement among a group.

a shared understanding

Stresses the mutual comprehension of a concept.

a popular notion

Indicates the idea is well-liked or accepted by many.

a conventional wisdom

Implies the belief is long-standing and generally accepted, even if potentially outdated.

a public perception

Highlights how something is viewed by the general public.

a majority sentiment

Focuses on the feeling or attitude held by most people.

a collective judgment

Emphasizes the assessment or evaluation made by a group.

a standard interpretation

Highlights the usual or accepted way of understanding something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a common opinion" to introduce a belief that is widely held within a specific group. For example, "A common opinion among economists is that interest rates will rise."

What are some alternatives to "a common opinion"?

Some alternatives include "a widespread belief", "a prevailing view", or "a general consensus", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always accurate to describe something as "a common opinion"?

Not necessarily. While it indicates a widespread viewpoint, it doesn't guarantee accuracy or validity. Always consider the source and evidence supporting the opinion.

What's the difference between "a common opinion" and "conventional wisdom"?

"A common opinion" refers to a generally held view at a particular time, while "conventional wisdom" suggests a long-standing belief, even if potentially outdated.