a prevailing notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prevailing notion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a widely accepted idea or belief within a particular context or society. Example: "In today's society, a prevailing notion is that success is measured by wealth and status."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Anecdotally, there has been a prevailing notion that established gold standard systemic regimens should be substituted for those utilised in cancers such as gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies; tumours that share more biological similarities than other EOC subtypes.

Critical Reviews in Oncology-Hematology

Reefer, pot, weed, the ganj, Mary Jane... whatever you call it, there seems to be a prevailing notion that marijuana use has an expiration date -- and it's well before you hit midlife.

Huffington Post

There's a prevailing notion that somehow career and traveling are mutually exclusive — as if by opting for one means you cannot take advantage of the other — but that's just black and white thinking.

Huffington Post

Additionally, there is a prevailing notion that generic medicines are inferior in quality [ 2].

BMC Health Services Research

There was a prevailing notion of "modern" Tanzanian culture in which the majority of men are circumcised.

Global health, science and practice

Nevertheless, there is a prevailing notion that anti-Rib-P antibodies are commonly detected by IIF on HEp-2 substrates.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Goldman, who hadn't for a moment bought the prevailing notion that the western was dead, had crafted his film well.

The Guardian - Film

The finding contradicts the prevailing notion that a terrestrial planet needs a large moon to stabilize the orientation of its axis and, hence, its climate.

Science Magazine

Flavorwire: "At most every turn, in fact, The Story of My Teeth breaks faith with the prevailing notion of a collaborative work as a sideline and asserts itself as a fleet, allusive, often humorous novel-essay".

Huffington Post

But I've never bought into the prevailing notion that a perfectly fulfilling singular existence is little more than a karmic consolation prize.

Forbes

Women from the global north benefit from a policy in which the prevailing notion of fairness doesn't target them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a prevailing notion" when you want to indicate a widely held belief, especially one that may be open to question or not fully supported by evidence. It's effective for introducing a concept that you plan to challenge or provide further context for.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "a prevailing notion" without providing context or analysis. Instead, explain the origins of the notion, its impact, and any opposing viewpoints. This will add depth and credibility to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prevailing notion" functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a generally held belief or idea. Ludwig AI examples show its use in various contexts to introduce concepts or assumptions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a prevailing notion" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to introduce a widely held belief or assumption. As Ludwig AI suggests, it frequently appears in scientific and news media contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide context, analysis, and potentially challenge the notion to add depth to your writing. Alternatives such as "a widespread belief" or "a common assumption" can be used to add variety to your writing while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a widespread belief

Emphasizes the breadth of acceptance of the idea.

a common assumption

Highlights the unproven nature of the idea, suggesting it's taken for granted.

a general consensus

Indicates agreement among a group of people.

a popular opinion

Focuses on the widespread acceptance of the idea among the general public.

an established view

Suggests the idea has been accepted for a long time.

a conventional wisdom

Highlights the traditional and widely accepted nature of the idea.

a dominant ideology

Points to the controlling influence of the idea within a particular society or group.

a shared understanding

Emphasizes the commonality of the idea among a group.

a received wisdom

Implies the idea has been passed down and accepted without question.

a current trend of thought

Highlights the present-day prevalence of the idea.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a prevailing notion" in a sentence?

You can use "a prevailing notion" to introduce a concept that is widely accepted but possibly flawed or requiring further examination. For example: "A prevailing notion is that hard work always leads to success, but luck also plays a significant role."

What are some alternatives to "a prevailing notion" that I can use to vary my writing?

You can use alternatives such as "a widespread belief", "a common assumption", or "a general consensus" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "the prevailing notion" instead of "a prevailing notion"?

Both "a prevailing notion" and "the prevailing notion" can be grammatically correct, but their usage depends on the context. "A prevailing notion" refers to one particular widely held belief, while "the prevailing notion" refers to the most dominant or current belief in a given situation.

When should I question or challenge "a prevailing notion" in my writing?

You should question "a prevailing notion" when you have evidence or arguments that contradict it, or when you want to explore alternative perspectives. This can lead to more insightful and nuanced analysis.