a prevalent notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prevalent notion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a widely accepted idea or belief within a particular context or society. Example: "In contemporary discussions about climate change, a prevalent notion is that individual actions can significantly impact the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The investigation performed refutes a prevalent notion that N2 gas accumulates in the headspace of a closed reactor during denitrification.

Chemical Engineering Journal

There is a prevalent notion, sometimes taken as the starting point for media coverage, that the Democratic and Republican Parties are engaged in a political and philosophical debate over whether to extend aid to American automakers.

The New Yorker

By Steve Coll November 15, 2008 There is a prevalent notion, sometimes taken as the starting point for media coverage, that the Democratic and Republican Parties are engaged in a political and philosophical debate over whether to extend aid to American automakers.

The New Yorker

A prevalent notion about the broad range of music called jazz is that it is a shared language; it has certain irreducible musical aspects, which means it can be played together by musicians of different backgrounds meeting each other for the first time.

The New York Times - Arts

Her use of the word "retard" in recent diatribes against President Obama only echoes a prevalent notion that comparing someone to the mentally handicapped is a clever put-down.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

She was, however, a counterexample to the prevalent notion that Asian and Korean students are academically well performing and strong in mathematics and science.

Asia-Pacific Science Education

Filing a Claim After filing a claim, word may get out in your workplace, the prevalent notion is that everyone at work is not out to get you, but those affiliated with anyone named in your EEOC claim become knowledgeable about your claim and sadly are no longer your ally regardless of your previous alliance.

Huffington Post

In "How True," he took issue with the prevalent notion that the journalist was a sort of tape recorder or camera, mindlessly recording the words of newsmakers and reporting events as they appeared to happen.

The New York Times

Such circles are unable to replicate and are eventually lost as a result of cell division, lending support to the prevalent notion that episomal retroviral DNA forms are dead-end products of reverse transcription.

BMC Biotechnology

Based on the currently prevalent notion that oxidative stress may play a role in the genesis of air pollution effects, it is logical to consider efforts to increase the body's antioxidant defenses as potential interventions to ameliorate the negative health impacts of pollution exposure.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Sadly, the hospital's application reflects the pernicious but prevalent notion that any single building that is not a major historical landmark — or stands outside the historical mainstream — is unworthy of our protection.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a prevalent notion", ensure it accurately reflects a widely held belief or idea within the specific context you're discussing. Provide evidence or examples to support the claim that the notion is indeed prevalent.

Common error

Avoid using "a prevalent notion" if the idea is only supported by a small group or is just emerging. Overstating its prevalence can weaken your argument and mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prevalent notion" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a widely held idea or belief. It serves to set the stage for discussing, analyzing, or challenging that idea. Ludwig confirms its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a prevalent notion" is a useful phrase to introduce a widely held belief or idea. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the notion is indeed prevalent and provide supporting evidence. Alternatives like "a widespread belief" or "a prevailing idea" can be used for variety. Be mindful of the potential to overstate the prevalence of an idea and ensure it accurately reflects the current understanding within the given context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prevailing idea

Uses "prevailing" instead of "prevalent" and "idea" instead of "notion", keeping a very similar meaning.

a widespread belief

Replaces "notion" with "belief", emphasizing the acceptance of the idea by many people.

a widely held view

Emphasizes that the idea is a perspective shared by many.

a common assumption

Substitutes "notion" with "assumption", suggesting that the idea might be taken for granted without proof.

an established concept

Indicates that the idea is well-defined and recognized.

a popular conception

Highlights the popularity of the idea among the public.

a current understanding

Focuses on the up-to-date or contemporary nature of the shared idea.

a general understanding

Replaces the original phrase to focus on the collective comprehension of a subject.

a typical perception

Focuses on the standard way something is seen or understood.

a conventional wisdom

Suggests that the idea is a traditional or established belief.

FAQs

How can I use "a prevalent notion" in a sentence?

You can use "a prevalent notion" to introduce a widely accepted idea or belief. For example: "A prevalent notion in the healthcare industry is that preventative care is more cost-effective than treating illnesses after they develop".

What are some alternatives to "a prevalent notion"?

You can use alternatives like "a widespread belief", "a common assumption", or "a prevailing idea" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always accurate to describe something as "a prevalent notion"?

No, it's important to ensure that the idea you're describing is genuinely widespread and not just a personal opinion or a belief held by a small group. Provide evidence or context to support your claim.

What's the difference between "a prevalent notion" and "conventional wisdom"?

"A prevalent notion" refers to an idea that is currently widespread, while "conventional wisdom" refers to a long-established and widely accepted belief, often passed down through generations.