a common sense idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common sense idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a notion or concept that is generally accepted as logical or reasonable by most people. Example: "Implementing a recycling program in the office is a common sense idea that can benefit both the environment and our company image."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That's why establishing baseline privacy standards for ISPs is a common sense idea whose time has come.

TechCrunch

The "invest local" notion has been around as a "common sense" idea for some time.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"While some will try to make this seem to be controversial, the simple reality is that requiring voters to provide a photo ID when they vote is a common-sense idea," he said.

The New York Times

Running disaster-readiness drills regularly, it turns out, is a common-sense idea practised all too rarely".Firms are increasingly reliant on networks, but often fail to understand the risks that networks bring," says Don Tapscott, a management guru.

The Economist

"This is not a progressive or conservative idea — it's a common-sense idea," Mr. Franken said on a conference call with reporters, hosted by Americans for Financial Reform, a consumer advocacy group.

The New York Times

That seems like a common-sense idea, as it will make it easier to identify crashed drones and their owners.

TechCrunch

But so many of our crippling social crises could be tackled with one bold but absurdly common sense idea: a council housebuilding programme.

Independent

In essence, what the decision theory formalizes is the common sense idea that an individual should take the best action based upon what he or she wants, knows, and can do [ 11, 12].

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

For example, Smith's timeline traverses Henry Ford's common sense idea in the early 1900's to pay workers a good wage in order to afford American products such as Ford automobiles.

Huffington Post

Such an internalist epistemology of trust is valuable because it coheres with the common sense idea that one ought to have good or at least decent reasons for trusting other people, especially when something important is at stake (Fricker 1995).

SEP

Overall, the paper challenges the common sense idea that the present shape of fraud risk management is a functional necessity demanded by fraud events.

Accounting, Organizations and Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advocating for a plan, frame it as "a common sense idea" to increase its appeal and acceptance, suggesting it's logical and widely agreeable.

Common error

Avoid using "a common sense idea" excessively, as it can diminish the impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "a reasonable approach" or "a practical solution" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common sense idea" functions as a noun phrase that often serves as a subject complement or object. It describes a particular thought or suggestion as being logical and widely accepted. This assessment aligns with Ludwig AI's observation that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a common sense idea" is a frequently used and grammatically sound noun phrase that serves to portray a suggestion or plan as being inherently logical and widely agreeable. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability in written English. While primarily found in news and media contexts, it also appears in scientific discourse. To avoid sounding repetitive, writers should consider using alternatives like "a sensible notion" or "a practical solution".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sensible notion

Replaces "common sense" with a synonym, focusing on the inherent reasonableness of the idea.

an intuitive concept

Highlights the immediate understanding and instinctive grasp of the idea.

a pragmatic suggestion

Focuses on the practical benefits and usefulness of the idea in achieving a specific goal.

a reasonable approach

Focuses on the practicality and measured nature of the idea, rather than its intuitive appeal.

an obvious thought

Stresses the self-evidence and lack of complexity in the concept.

a logical conclusion

Emphasizes the reasoning and deduction aspect, shifting from widespread agreement to rational inference.

a down-to-earth proposal

Emphasizes the simplicity and grounded nature of the idea, avoiding abstract or complex considerations.

a practical solution

Highlights the problem-solving aspect, suggesting an actionable and effective plan derived from the idea.

a widely accepted view

Shifts the emphasis to the broad endorsement of the idea within a community or group.

a self-evident truth

Elevates the idea to a fundamental principle requiring no further justification.

FAQs

How can I use "a common sense idea" in a sentence?

You can use "a common sense idea" to describe a suggestion or plan that seems logical and practical to most people. For example, "Implementing stricter safety regulations is "a common sense idea" that should be implemented immediately."

What are some alternatives to "a common sense idea"?

Alternatives to "a common sense idea" include "a sensible notion", "a logical concept", or "a reasonable approach". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "a common sense idea"?

While generally acceptable, using "a common sense idea" might be inappropriate in highly technical or specialized contexts where a more precise term is needed. Additionally, be mindful that what seems like common sense to one person might not to another.

What does it mean for something to be considered "a common sense idea"?

When something is described as "a common sense idea", it implies that the concept is intuitive, practical, and widely understood or accepted. It suggests that the idea aligns with basic reasoning and experience.