a widespread attitude

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a widespread attitude" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a common or prevalent belief or feeling held by a large number of people. Example: "The survey revealed a widespread attitude among the population that climate change is a pressing issue that needs immediate action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

A young woman called Liv, who works in the commune's hardware warehouse, articulates a widespread attitude towards the drug dealers.

The Guardian

There is a widespread attitude towards the left that criticises it for failing to deliver a viable, reliable alternative.

The Guardian - Opinion

People like Lori Swadley and the Hope Dealer women and John Aldis must combat a widespread attitude of "Leave 'em lie, let 'em die".

The New Yorker

For, according to Anita Brookner, the old certitudes had been given a mighty knock by the social changes expressed in the French Revolution; and a widespread attitude of scepticism towards them became, for many romantic artists, as indispensable a component of artistic amour-propre as the rock star's look of surly self-obsession.

The Guardian - Books

There is a widespread attitude of 'Active Neutrality'," he said.

BBC

In criticizing the ruling, Warren and Brown both echoed a widespread attitude.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"The court didn't go along with a quite widespread attitude, and an argument of the defense, that women in this line of business, women who are not virgins, deserve what they get," said Zhang Rongli, a professor of law at the China Women's University.

The New York Times

To change this widespread attitude, Mukti, a local NGO, is working to create awareness about safe motherhood and delivery in Cox's Bazaar.

Unicef

Obama was expressing a widespread liberal attitude toward Republican-voting workers — that is, he didn't take them seriously.

The New Yorker

While the exhibition is non-conformist and enterprising in essential ways, it does partake of a widespread contemporary attitude by declaring that fragments and revelations of an artist's process can be exhibited before the public just like finished work.

The New York Times

Environmentalists say the outcome of the investigation suggests a widespread lax attitude among employees in the cruise company about protecting the ocean from pollution.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a widespread attitude", ensure the context clearly indicates which group or population holds this attitude. Providing specific examples or data to support the claim will enhance credibility.

Common error

Avoid attributing "a widespread attitude" without sufficient evidence. Overstating the prevalence of an attitude can lead to misrepresentation and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widespread attitude" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a common or prevalent feeling, belief, or way of thinking shared by a significant number of people. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a widespread attitude" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a prevailing sentiment or belief held by many people. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal settings. While the phrase is generally safe to use, ensure to provide context regarding the population holding the attitude and avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as "a common attitude" or ""a prevailing sentiment"" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight nuances. By being mindful of these nuances, you can effectively communicate the prevalence of a particular viewpoint.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common attitude

Replaces "widespread" with "common", indicating a frequently held belief.

a prevailing attitude

Substitutes "widespread" with "prevailing", suggesting an attitude that is currently dominant.

a general sentiment

Replaces "attitude" with "sentiment", broadening the scope to include feelings and opinions.

a typical mindset

Substitutes "attitude" with "mindset", focusing on a habitual way of thinking.

a broad perspective

Replaces "attitude" with "perspective", emphasizing a way of viewing things.

a public perception

Focuses on how something is viewed by the public.

a societal norm

Shifts the focus to a standard or accepted behavior within a society.

a collective view

Emphasizes that the attitude is shared by a group of people.

a dominant feeling

Highlights the emotional aspect of the widespread sentiment.

a popular outlook

Replaces "attitude" with "outlook", focusing on a general way of looking at things.

FAQs

How can I use "a widespread attitude" in a sentence?

You can use "a widespread attitude" to describe a belief or feeling shared by many people. For instance, "There is "a widespread attitude" that environmental protection is crucial."

What phrases can I use instead of "a widespread attitude"?

Alternatives include "a common belief", "a prevailing sentiment", or "a general opinion" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a widespread attitude" or "common attitude"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "a widespread attitude" emphasizes the extent of the attitude's prevalence, while "common attitude" simply indicates that it is frequently held. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How does "a widespread attitude" differ from "public opinion"?

"A widespread attitude" refers to a general feeling or belief, while "public opinion" specifically relates to the collective views of the public on a particular issue, often measured through surveys and polls.