a conventional wisdom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a conventional wisdom" is not correct; it should be "conventional wisdom" without the article "a." You can use "conventional wisdom" to refer to widely accepted beliefs or opinions that are generally held to be true.
Example: "The conventional wisdom is that hard work leads to success, but many factors contribute to achieving one's goals."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Tracking polls fuel a conventional wisdom that feeds on itself.

The Washington Post

There is a conventional wisdom here, and it's embodied in long-run budget projections.

The New York Times

It's a conventional wisdom that's just as informed by the "frontrunner" mystique as any other indicator.

The New York Times

A conventional wisdom in industry and academia is that firms suffer from decentralized procurement.

Omega

Based on the exploratory analyses, a conventional wisdom for destination website design is proposed.

Journal of Destination Marketing & Management

So you know, there's a conventional wisdom to what's going on in America via Washington and there's the reality of what's happening in America".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The Ryan Coogler-directed MCU action drama, its obvious value as a conventional wisdom-crushing crowdpleaser (and possible Oscar-contender) notwithstanding, represents the worst nightmare of an entire industry now dedicated to a near-weekly stream of glorified event movies.

Forbes

The bride's father is an architect at Conventional Wisdom, a convention-center design specialist in Ocoee, Fla.

The New York Times

These are among the tenets of a pessimistic conventional wisdom.

The New York Times

It reflects a certain conventional wisdom in Washington that the war is already lost.

The Washington Post

AS THE embers of this month's mid-term elections are raked over, a new conventional wisdom is emerging in Washington, DC.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to widely accepted beliefs, use "conventional wisdom" without the article "a". For example, say "The conventional wisdom is..." instead of "A conventional wisdom is...".

Common error

Avoid using the indefinite article "a" before "conventional wisdom". It's grammatically incorrect and makes the phrase sound awkward. Use "conventional wisdom" directly to refer to the generally accepted belief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a conventional wisdom" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is simply "conventional wisdom", which functions as a noun phrase referring to a set of beliefs widely accepted as true. Ludwig AI confirms this grammatical issue.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a conventional wisdom" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "conventional wisdom" without the article "a". This term refers to beliefs that are widely accepted as true within a particular context. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is best used as a noun phrase. When writing, remember to avoid the common error of adding the article "a" before "conventional wisdom" to ensure grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accepted wisdom

Similar to conventional wisdom but can suggest a more thoughtful or deliberate acceptance.

received view

Implies that the belief has been handed down or inherited from others.

prevailing belief

Focuses on the widespread acceptance of a particular idea.

general consensus

Indicates a broad agreement on a particular matter.

common knowledge

Highlights information that is widely known and understood.

mainstream thought

Highlights ideas that are considered normal or typical within a society.

established norm

Emphasizes a standard or pattern of behavior that is generally accepted.

popular opinion

Refers to the views held by a majority of people.

traditional view

Focuses on beliefs or practices that have been passed down through generations.

dominant ideology

Refers to the set of beliefs that are most influential and widely held in a society.

FAQs

How do I use "conventional wisdom" in a sentence?

Use "conventional wisdom" without the article "a" to refer to a generally accepted belief. For example: "The "conventional wisdom" is that a balanced diet is essential for good health."

What is the difference between "conventional wisdom" and "common knowledge"?

"Conventional wisdom" refers to beliefs that are widely accepted, even if they may not be entirely accurate, while "common knowledge" refers to facts that are generally known.

What can I say instead of "a conventional wisdom"?

Since "a conventional wisdom" is grammatically incorrect, use ""conventional wisdom"" or alternatives like "prevailing belief" or "accepted wisdom".

Is it correct to say "a conventional wisdom"?

No, it is not correct. The proper phrasing is simply ""conventional wisdom"" without the indefinite article "a".