a widely held view

USAGE SUMMARY

"a widely held view" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe an opinion that is shared by many people. For example, "Many people feel that climate change is a real and urgent issue, which is a widely held view."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a widely held view.

The Economist

This became a widely held view.

Independent

Hers is not a widely held view.

The New York Times

That is a widely held view in Russia.

The New York Times

A widely held view is that trade lowers volatility: exporting to more markets means greater diversification.

The Economist

Until recently, there was a widely held view that most online gambling violated federal law.

The Washington Post

There is a widely held view that Tanzania has plenty of available land.

The Guardian

IT IS not a widely held view, but there is a lot to be said for economists.

The Economist

While this is a widely held view, it is a problem that—so far has proved intractable.

Yale University

That assessment of Robert Moses, made on the eve of his centenary next week, corresponds to a widely held view.

The New York Times

A widely held view in Government now is that this nation must handle its science more coherently.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a widely held view" when you want to indicate that a particular opinion or belief is common among a significant number of people. It adds credibility and context to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a widely held view" as a substitute for concrete data or evidence. Always support the statement with relevant information or sources to strengthen your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widely held view" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It introduces or describes a belief or opinion that is common among a significant portion of a population. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

24%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a widely held view" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a common belief or opinion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness for various contexts. The phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic writing, signaling its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure you provide adequate support or context, avoiding vague claims. Alternative phrases like "a common belief" or "a prevailing opinion" can add variety to your writing. Remember, just because something is "a widely held view" doesn't guarantee its accuracy, so critical evaluation remains essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A common belief

Replaces 'view' with 'belief' emphasizing the acceptance of an idea as true.

A prevailing opinion

Substitutes 'widely held' with 'prevailing', suggesting a dominant viewpoint.

A general consensus

Focuses on agreement among a group rather than individual views.

A popular notion

Replaces 'view' with 'notion', indicating a widespread idea or concept.

An accepted idea

Highlights the acceptance of an idea by many people.

A conventional wisdom

Implies that the view is a long-standing and traditional belief.

A mainstream perspective

Indicates that the view aligns with the dominant or most common viewpoint.

A public perception

Focuses on how the general public understands or interprets something.

The conventional understanding

Emphasizes the shared knowledge and interpretation of something.

A shared understanding

Highlights the common knowledge and interpretation of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a widely held view" in a sentence?

You can use "a widely held view" to introduce an opinion that many people share. For example, "It is "a widely held view" that education is essential for success."

What are some alternatives to saying "a widely held view"?

Alternatives to "a widely held view" include "a common belief", "a prevailing opinion", or "a general consensus".

Is it better to say "a widely held view" or "a widely held opinion"?

Both "a widely held view" and "a widely held opinion" are acceptable. The choice depends on the specific context, as 'view' often implies a more considered perspective than 'opinion'.

Can "a widely held view" be incorrect?

Yes. Just because a view is widely held does not mean it is accurate. It's important to critically evaluate even "a widely held view".