a common perception is that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common perception is that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a widely held belief or opinion about a particular topic. Example: "A common perception is that social media has a negative impact on mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

A common perception is that a joke about death offends because it is made too close to the event.

The Guardian

A common perception is that abatements are mainly granted to waterfront office towers, and indeed, the number of those has grown to 19 from 11 in 1992.

The New York Times

Hence, a common perception is that the winners of the charity sector — those who win funding — are those who spin their successes best, not necessarily those who make the most difference.

The Guardian

A common perception is that PAP ministers, who pay themselves handsomely, have lost touch with the concerns of the less well-off about rising prices, especially of housing, and about the rapid influx of immigrants, notably from China.

The Economist

A common perception is that Armstrong relations are useful in the acquisition of data semantics, in particular since errors during the requirements elicitation have the most expensive consequences.

Information Systems

A common perception is that they are the model minority: the doctors, techno-wizards, and successful business owners.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The common perception is that happy hardcore is rave's slightly backwards, Subaru-driving cousin.

Vice

When international players started to enter the league in large numbers, a common perception was that they might not be tough enough to compete with, and beat, Americans.

The New York Times - Sports

Sharing of food, especially with children, is part of the social norm and further a common perception was that a child craving for food would become sick if the food was denied.

Health Policy and Planning

(national civil servant) In fact, outside government, the extent to which the Strategy really led to cross-government action was widely questioned – a common perception was that the Strategy was really a Department of Health initiative, with some work with the Department for Children, Schools and Families and little else.

BMC Public Health

The common perception is that Flutie will be a willing teacher to Brees.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, ensure that the statement following "a common perception is that" is indeed a widely held belief and not just your personal opinion.

Common error

Avoid using "a common perception is that" when introducing an idea that is only held by a small group. Ensure the belief is truly widespread to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common perception is that" functions as an introductory phrase. It sets the stage for presenting a widely held belief or viewpoint, often preceding a statement that either supports or challenges that belief. As Ludwig AI explains, it introduces a widely held belief.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a common perception is that" effectively introduces widely held beliefs across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness for written English. It’s grammatically sound, though used more frequently in news, media, and scientific sources. When employing this phrase, ensure that the stated perception genuinely reflects a widespread viewpoint. By understanding the phrase's function and usage patterns, writers can enhance the clarity and credibility of their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is generally believed that

Replaces "perception" with "belief" and uses a more formal introductory structure.

it is widely thought that

Substitutes "perception" with "thought", focusing on the cognitive aspect.

the prevailing view is that

Uses "prevailing view" to emphasize the widespread nature of the opinion.

a widespread notion is that

Replaces "perception" with "notion", indicating a general understanding.

the common understanding is that

Emphasizes shared knowledge or interpretation.

it's a common assumption that

Highlights the presumptive nature of the belief.

many people believe that

Simplifies the phrase to a direct statement of belief.

it is often said that

Focuses on the frequent articulation of the idea.

a popular idea is that

Indicates the idea has a lot of currency or favour.

the general consensus is that

Suggests a collective agreement on the matter.

FAQs

How can I use "a common perception is that" in a sentence?

You can use "a common perception is that" to introduce an idea widely believed by many people, even if it's not necessarily true. For example: "A common perception is that eating carrots improves your eyesight."

What phrases can I use instead of "a common perception is that"?

You can use alternatives like "it is generally believed that", "it is widely thought that", or "the prevailing view is that", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a common perception" or "the common perception"?

"A common perception" implies that it is one of many perceptions, while "the common perception" suggests that it's the most prevalent one. The choice depends on whether you're highlighting one of several perceptions or the dominant one.

What's the difference between "a common perception" and "a common misconception"?

"A common perception" refers to a widely held view, which may or may not be accurate. "A common misconception" refers specifically to a widely held belief that is incorrect or based on faulty information.