a generally held conviction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a generally held conviction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a belief or opinion that is widely accepted by a group of people. Example: "There is a generally held conviction that climate change is a pressing global issue that requires immediate action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is fast becoming a generally held view.

The Guardian

Phrase used to agree with a deeply held conviction.

The New Yorker

The feeling of being outraged is often accompanied by a deeply held conviction that one is indisputably right.

Independent

In Sweden, he says, there is a widely held conviction that gender identity is socially constructed rather than biologically determined.

The Guardian - Books

Jane had stumbled on a product idea that mapped perfectly to a deeply held conviction: she hated waste.

TechCrunch

The first relates to the widely held conviction that civil war in general increases the likelihood that a country will be affected by polio.

Globalization and Health

These data confirm the widely held conviction that AR-CGD follows a milder course than XL-CGD.

Plosone

Despite the widely held conviction that there is no sound scientific basis for restricting visitors in ICUs [ 2- 4], our findings show a clear tendency in Italian PICUs to apply restrictive visiting policies.

Critical Care

But this is a rather extreme sort of example, one in which even our deepest held convictions are strained.

SEP

The Supreme Court had generally held that searches required a warrant.

Huffington Post

Even an ordinary rucksack will generally hold this.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a generally held conviction" when you want to emphasize that a belief is widely accepted, but avoid overusing it as it can sound somewhat formal. Consider whether a simpler phrase like "a common belief" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Be careful not to present something as "a generally held conviction" if there is significant debate or conflicting evidence. Ensure the belief truly enjoys broad support before using this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a generally held conviction" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a shared belief or opinion within a group. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a generally held conviction" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a widely accepted belief or opinion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not extremely common, it finds application in various fields, particularly news and media, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the belief genuinely enjoys broad support to avoid misrepresentation. Alternatives such as "a widely accepted belief" or "a common opinion" may be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a widely accepted belief

Emphasizes the broad acceptance of the belief.

a common opinion

Focuses on the prevalence of the opinion.

a prevailing view

Highlights the current dominance of the perspective.

a broadly shared sentiment

Emphasizes the emotional aspect of the shared feeling.

a mainstream notion

Indicates that the idea is part of the dominant culture.

a conventional wisdom

Suggests the belief is part of established knowledge.

a received idea

Implies the idea has been passed down and accepted.

a popular perception

Focuses on how something is commonly understood by the public.

a public consensus

Highlights the agreement among the public.

a societal norm

Suggests the belief is deeply ingrained in society.

FAQs

What does "a generally held conviction" mean?

The phrase "a generally held conviction" refers to a belief or opinion that is widely accepted and shared by a large number of people within a particular group or society.

How can I use "a generally held conviction" in a sentence?

You can use "a generally held conviction" to introduce an idea that many people believe to be true. For example: "There is "a generally held conviction" that hard work leads to success."

What are some alternatives to "a generally held conviction"?

Alternatives to "a generally held conviction" include "a widely accepted belief", "a common opinion", or "a prevailing view". These phrases all convey the idea of a belief that is common among a group of people.

Is it always accurate to describe something as "a generally held conviction"?

No, it's important to ensure that the belief truly has widespread support before using this phrase. If there's significant disagreement or conflicting evidence, it might be more accurate to describe it as "a contested belief" or "a minority view".