a pervasive idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a pervasive idea" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a concept or belief that is widespread and commonly accepted in a particular context or society. Example: "The notion of success as defined by wealth is a pervasive idea in modern culture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"There's a pervasive idea among clinicians and patients that a new drug or device is going to make things better," Dr. Lidz noted.

The New York Times - Health

Nevertheless, he says, the researchers' conclusion that plant-eating dinos were at an early disadvantage because they were particularly energy hungry depends on the assumption that they were warm-blooded whereas other reptiles were cold-blooded, "a pervasive idea that has not been entirely established".

Science Magazine

There was additionally a pervasive idea that drinking a sugary drink was quintessentially American -- another attractive quality.

Huffington Post

"There is a pervasive idea that abstinence is the only answer to addiction even though we know it doesn't always work".

Huffington Post

More than a dozen states may also be preparing to launch purges akin to Florida's based on a pervasive idea advanced mostly by Republicans that the election system is under siege by foreign interlopers and others.

Huffington Post

"There is a pervasive idea," Pukall says, "that female genitals need to be tight and youthful-looking to be desirable for male penetration, and that idea can be related to patriarchal ideologies related to female sexuality that still, unfortunately, exist today".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Even as he explodes the notion that volunteers won the war, he underscores an equally pervasive idea that the actions of Congress and the American Revolution were one and the same.

The New York Times - Books

Second, there was the pervasive idea, a holdover of pre-Darwininan thinking, that classifications could be based on similarity even at the expense of what we think we know about phylogenetic relationships.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Queer actors are still up against the surprisingly pervasive idea that a non-straight actor can't play a straight character.

Vice

- (DA) The European Parliament' s report on the Charter is characterised by one pervasive idea: the desire for EU citizenship in a supranational State, whether one likes that term or not.

EU Parlament

You know, there's this pervasive idea in biology that I think is wrong.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a pervasive idea", ensure that the idea you are describing is genuinely widespread and not just your personal opinion. Provide evidence or context to support your claim of its pervasiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "a pervasive idea" when describing a belief held only by a small group. Overstating its prevalence can weaken your argument and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pervasive idea" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a concept or belief that is widely diffused or prevalent within a particular context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a pervasive idea" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes a widely held belief or concept. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its role in identifying common viewpoints across various contexts. While versatile, it's important to ensure the idea is genuinely widespread to avoid overgeneralization. Consider using alternatives like ""a widespread belief"" or ""a common notion"" for nuanced meanings. As evidenced by examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, the phrase is commonly used in News & Media and Science, reflecting its utility in discussing shared understandings and assumptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a widespread belief

Replaces "idea" with "belief" and "pervasive" with "widespread", focusing on the acceptance of the concept.

a common notion

Substitutes "pervasive" with "common" and "idea" with "notion", highlighting the shared understanding.

a prevalent concept

Replaces "idea" with "concept" and "pervasive" with "prevalent", emphasizing the widespread existence of the concept.

a dominant viewpoint

Changes "idea" to "viewpoint" and "pervasive" to "dominant", shifting the focus to influence rather than simple presence.

a prevailing assumption

Replaces "idea" with "assumption" and "pervasive" with "prevailing", suggesting the concept is taken for granted.

a general understanding

Shifts from a specific idea to a broader sense of understanding, replacing "pervasive" with "general".

a widespread perception

Focuses on how something is viewed by many, using "perception" instead of "idea" and "widespread" for "pervasive".

a common understanding

Emphasizes the shared nature of the idea as a form of understanding that's widespread.

an ingrained belief

Highlights the deep-rooted nature of the belief, using "ingrained" to show it's firmly established instead of just pervasive.

a popular misconception

Contrasts with the original by suggesting the idea is not only widespread but also incorrect, using "misconception" instead of "idea".

FAQs

How can I use "a pervasive idea" in a sentence?

You can use "a pervasive idea" to describe a belief or concept that is widespread and commonly accepted. For example, "There is "a pervasive idea" that hard work always leads to success."

What's a good substitute for "a pervasive idea"?

Alternatives include "a widespread belief", "a common notion", or "a prevalent concept", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a very pervasive idea"?

While not strictly redundant, using "very" may be unnecessary. "Pervasive" already implies widespread influence. Instead, consider providing specific examples to illustrate how the idea is widespread.

What's the difference between "a pervasive idea" and "a popular idea"?

"A pervasive idea" suggests that the idea is widespread and deeply ingrained, while "a popular idea" simply means it is well-liked or commonly favored, but not necessarily deeply rooted or influential.