a universal thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a universal thing" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is common or applicable to everyone or everything. Example: Love is considered a universal thing, as it is felt and experienced by all humans regardless of culture, race or gender.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

I think music is a universal thing.

The Guardian - Music

"It's now a universal thing," Ms. Belfer said.

The New York Times

It's in the British Museum and it's of a family teaching a child to walk, so it's a universal thing, everybody has experienced this or seen it happen.

The Guardian - Arts

"People go there just to see a bit of the sky of Rome, but, with this opening, it is a universal thing," he told me.

The New Yorker

It's a universal thing to want to feed your children and to educate your children, and women know that the only way they can do that is not have so many.

The Guardian

Simple supposition appears to have been a vestige of early terminist logic,[14] whose realist practitioners needed to distinguish between referring to a universal thing and referring to a particular thing.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"Being a guy is a pretty universal thing, you know.

The Guardian

The idea of telling stories or imparting information with a combination of words and pictures is a fairly universal thing, geographically and historically.

The Guardian - Books

I think singing is a very universal thing so if I'm singing about love, everyone can relate to that.

The Guardian - Music

"This whole good-girl/bad-girl conflict is not just my own neurosis, but it's actually a very universal thing for women.

The New York Times - Magazine

There is a real universal thing corresponding to our universal concepts.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a universal thing" to emphasize that something applies to everyone or everything, transcending cultural or individual differences. For instance, "The need for connection is a universal thing."

Common error

Avoid using "a universal thing" when describing something that is merely common or widespread. Ensure it truly applies to all cases without exception. For example, while many people enjoy music, claiming that 'enjoying music is a universal thing' is an overgeneralization, as some individuals may not appreciate it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a universal thing" functions as a noun phrase, serving to identify or categorize something as being applicable or relevant to all instances or individuals. Ludwig confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "a universal thing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote something that applies to all. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears predominantly in news and media, followed by scientific contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid overgeneralization and reserve its use for attributes truly applicable to everyone or everything. Exploring related phrases like "a global phenomenon" or "a shared experience" can offer nuanced alternatives. Remember, effective writing hinges on precision, ensuring that "a universal thing" is employed when universality, not just commonality, is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a global phenomenon

Highlights the worldwide nature of something.

a common phenomenon

Focuses on the widespread occurrence of something, rather than its inherent universality.

a shared experience

Focuses on the commonality of an experience among people.

a cross-cultural aspect

Suggests something that transcends cultural boundaries.

a widespread occurrence

Emphasizes the broad distribution of an event or situation.

a ubiquitous element

Stresses the pervasiveness and presence of something everywhere.

a general attribute

Describes a characteristic common to many things.

a recurring theme

Indicates a pattern or idea that appears repeatedly.

a widespread trait

Implies a characteristic found across a large population or range.

a prevalent characteristic

Highlights a feature that is widely found or observed.

FAQs

How can I use "a universal thing" in a sentence?

You can use "a universal thing" to describe something that applies to everyone or everything, like in the sentence "The desire for happiness is "a universal thing"."

What's a more formal alternative to "a universal thing"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a ubiquitous phenomenon", "a common characteristic", or "a pervasive element" as more formal alternatives.

Is it correct to say something is 'a very universal thing'?

While grammatically correct, saying something is "a very universal thing" can be redundant. "Universal" already implies encompassing all cases, so "a universal thing" is typically sufficient.

What is the difference between "a universal thing" and "a common thing"?

"A universal thing" implies something that applies to absolutely everyone or everything, without exception. "A common thing", on the other hand, simply suggests that something is widespread or frequent, but not necessarily applicable to all.