a widespread consensus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a widespread consensus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a general agreement or shared opinion among a large group of people. Example: "After extensive discussions, it became clear that there was a widespread consensus on the need for policy reform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Now there is a widespread consensus that these connections are in constant flux.

The New Yorker

John McCain has promised to postpone immigration reform until there is a "widespread consensus" that border security has been attained.

The New York Times

But what I should also report to you is that I think there is a widespread consensus among most people that study the subject.

Yale University

He says there is a widespread consensus, underpinned by today's report from the education committee, on the need to reform the GCSE exam.

The Guardian

The razing of Penn Station led to the passage of the Landmarks Preservation Act, and to a widespread consensus about the principles or premises supporting urbanism.

The New York Times

While there's a widespread consensus that GM crops are safe, there are valid and lingering questions about the environmental and social impacts of GMOs.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

New Yorkers don't all agree on the how much government service should be provided, but there is a reasonably widespread consensus on the need for an active local government.

Huffington Post

Among economists, here in China and abroad, there's a pretty widespread consensus that China needs to move from an export-driven growth model to a domestic consumption-driven one.

Forbes

Is it possible in Britain over the next 10 or 20 years to build a sufficiently widespread consensus for reform?Or, at the very least, to begin to have a serious, sustained, non-name-calling, non-guilt-ridden national conversation on the subject of private education?

The Guardian

The culmination of this trend toward increasing recognition, thus far, is an increasingly widespread consensus by researchers and funders of research that data is a fundamental product of research and therefore a citable product.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As someone born at a time of widespread consensus that human slavery was one of history's most despicable and shameful practices, I've always been intrigued by the realization that, during the life of my great-great-grandfather, there were a significant number of otherwise intelligent and sensitive white Americans and Europeans who apparently did not see it that way.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a widespread consensus" to indicate a broad agreement within a specific field or group, especially when introducing a well-established idea or theory.

Common error

Avoid using "a widespread consensus" to imply that everyone agrees. It signifies a strong majority, not necessarily unanimity. Acknowledge dissenting opinions if they exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widespread consensus" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It represents a collective agreement or opinion shared by a significant portion of a group, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

34%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a widespread consensus" is a noun phrase used to indicate that a particular idea or belief is generally accepted within a specific group or field. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to remember that it signifies a strong majority, not necessarily universal agreement. Alternatives like "general agreement" or "prevailing view" may be used depending on the context. It's a useful expression for establishing credibility and justifying actions based on commonly held beliefs. When deployed, ensure you aren't overstating the breadth of the agreement, acknowledge any dissenting voices as appropriate, and ensure your writing maintains a balanced and nuanced perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

broad agreement

Substitutes "widespread consensus" with "broad agreement", maintaining a high degree of semantic similarity.

general agreement

Replaces "consensus" with a more straightforward term, focusing on the aspect of agreement.

collective agreement

Highlights that it is a group that agreeded on something.

common understanding

Highlights the shared comprehension among a group of people.

public agreement

Focuses on agreement amongst general public.

prevailing view

Focuses on the dominant perspective or opinion on a particular topic.

established view

Suggests that a viewpoint is well-recognized and firmly established.

majority opinion

Emphasizes that most people hold a specific belief or viewpoint.

shared belief

Highlights the commonality of a belief among a group.

accepted wisdom

Implies that a particular idea or principle is generally considered to be true or valid.

FAQs

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

You can use "a widespread consensus" to indicate general agreement within a specific group. For instance, "There is "a widespread consensus" among scientists regarding the effects of climate change."

What can I say instead of "a widespread consensus"?

You can use alternatives like "general agreement", "broad agreement", or "prevailing view" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a broad consensus" or "a widespread consensus"?

Both "a broad consensus" and "a widespread consensus" are correct and can be used interchangeably. "Broad" emphasizes the scope of the agreement, while "widespread" emphasizes the extent of the agreement across a population or field.

How does "a widespread consensus" differ from "unanimous agreement"?

"A widespread consensus" indicates that a significant majority agrees, but not necessarily everyone. "Unanimous agreement", on the other hand, means that everyone is in complete agreement, leaving no room for dissent.