a general understanding that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general understanding that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a commonly accepted belief or notion among a group of people regarding a specific topic. Example: "There is a general understanding that teamwork is essential for the success of any project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

There has been little environmental push back as new plants have come online, in part because there's a general understanding that methane, which is generated in landfills as waste decomposes, is an even more damaging greenhouse gas on a pound-for-pound basis than CO2.

Huffington Post

"The dirty little secret among beat reporters who routinely travel with top military officials is that there's a unwritten code, a general understanding, that off-color jokes, irreverent banter, and casual conversations are generally off-the-record, or on the deepest of background, unless otherwise agreed upon.

Huffington Post

"There was almost a general understanding that — guess what?

The New York Times

"There's a general understanding that something major needs to be done.

The New York Times

"There is a general understanding that she will start to move that way," Wetmore said.

The New York Times - Sports

Dannielle Romano, an analyst with Jupiter, said the research validated a general understanding that "Napster is an international phenomenon".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

It was like working on a jigsaw puzzle: the group needed pieces of information from every member in order to put together the general understanding that would be measured on the test.

The New York Times

"There was a pretty general understanding that the government had overstepped in the internment cases, and that's the climate in which the court decided the steel seizure case," said John Q . Barrettof St. John's University Law School.

The New York Times

This rule is embedded in a more general understanding that !gâi gâb can be lost at night.

Human Nature

This agrees with the general understanding that an ordinary radiographic examination of the vertebral column in dogs is not very sensitive at detecting minor calcifications of intervertebral discs.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

There is general understanding that collaboration is a key element in the governance for a sustainable environment.

Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify the group or community that shares this understanding. For example, instead of "There is a general understanding that…", try "Among economists, there is a general understanding that…"

Common error

Avoid using "a general understanding that" to introduce a niche opinion or a belief held by a small group. This can mislead readers into thinking the idea is more universally accepted than it is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general understanding that" functions as an introductory phrase. It prefaces a statement representing a widely held belief or assumption. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and frequently observed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a general understanding that" is a phrase used to introduce a commonly held belief or assumption. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and frequent, particularly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While widely applicable, it's important to ensure the following statement truly reflects a common understanding to avoid misrepresentation. Consider using alternatives like "a common belief that" or "a widespread assumption that" for nuanced expression. Remember to specify the group that shares this understanding for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common belief that

Replaces "understanding" with "belief", focusing on the acceptance of an idea.

a widespread assumption that

Substitutes "understanding" with "assumption", highlighting the presumptive nature of the idea.

a prevailing notion that

Uses "notion" instead of "understanding", emphasizing the idea's current popularity.

a shared consensus that

Replaces "general understanding" with "shared consensus", stressing agreement among people.

a broad agreement that

Substitutes "understanding" with "agreement", focusing on the act of concurring.

a public perception that

Uses "perception" instead of "understanding", highlighting how something is viewed by the public.

a collective awareness that

Replaces "understanding" with "awareness", emphasizing the state of being conscious of something.

an accepted principle that

Substitutes "understanding" with "principle", focusing on a fundamental truth or proposition.

it is generally accepted that

Shifts the focus to the act of acceptance rather than the understanding itself.

it is widely known that

Emphasizes the widespread knowledge of a fact, rather than the understanding of it.

FAQs

How can I use "a general understanding that" in a sentence?

You can use "a general understanding that" to introduce a statement widely believed or accepted. For example, "There's "a general understanding that" regular exercise is beneficial for health".

What are some alternatives to "a general understanding that"?

You can use alternatives like "a common belief that", "a widespread assumption that", or "a shared consensus that" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to prove something introduced with "a general understanding that"?

While not always necessary, briefly justifying or providing context for something introduced with ""a general understanding that"" can strengthen your argument and avoid potential misunderstandings.

What's the difference between "a general understanding that" and "a specific understanding that"?

"A general understanding that" refers to a widely held belief, while "a specific understanding that" implies a particular, detailed, or less common comprehension of something.