a widespread fact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a widespread fact" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means something that is widely known or accepted as true. Example: It is a widespread fact that exercise is important for maintaining good health.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Property restitution has been a widespread fact of life in Germany's New Bundesländer the former German Democratic Republic or East Germany—since unification in 1990.

Journal of Rural Studies

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Is that a problem — widespread facts showing one thing, and widespread insistence on a failing strategy?

The New Yorker

Now, we're not saying this is a widespread problem in fact, reps at Palm claimed this was the first time they'd seen it happen but it was a little disconcerting.

TechCrunch

John Locke in his Essays on the Law of Nature argued that the widespread fact of human conscience allowed a philosopher to infer the necessary existence of objective moral laws that occasionally might contradict those of the state.

Wikipedia

Creating videos of his illegal activities, Kidult has gained a widespread fan base amazed by the fact that he is painting in such prominent spots and getting away with it.

Vice

There is, in fact, a widespread hesitation to describe Jews as Jews.

The New York Times

Mid-career crises are, in fact, a widespread regularity, rather than the misfortune of a few individuals.

Harvard Business Review

In particular, there is a widespread consensus on the fact that privacy policies are too complex and ambiguous to fully understand.

EPJ Data Science

It is, in fact, a widespread phenomenon that insofar as authorities and the public at large pay any attention to rape and violence against women, this attention is focused on punishing the perpetrator.

Huffington Post

And what we know about the backgrounds and aspirations of Deah Barakat, his wife Yusor Mohammad and-Salher and her sister Razan Mohammad Abunderscoreserscores a widespread and largely admirable fact about American Muslims: They want to get along, pursue middle-class professions, raise families, live in suburbs, make themselves useful to society, help the needy.

Huffington Post

In fact, despite a widespread belief in the so-called runner's high, a feeling of intense euphoria that is supposed to come with vigorous exercise, the experience is not consistent or predictable.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a widespread fact", ensure that the information you are presenting is indeed widely accepted and verifiable. Avoid using it for claims that are still debated or lack substantial evidence.

Common error

Do not assume that everyone is familiar with "a widespread fact". Provide context or a brief explanation to ensure your audience understands the information, especially when addressing diverse audiences or those unfamiliar with the subject matter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widespread fact" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or an appositive. It introduces or describes information that is generally known and accepted as true, as supported by Ludwig AI and its examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

38%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a widespread fact" is a phrase used to present information considered common knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and serves to establish shared understanding in various contexts. While its usage isn't overly frequent, it appears across news, scientific articles, and general knowledge sources. To use this phrase effectively, ensure the information is genuinely widely accepted and provide context for clarity, especially for diverse audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a commonly known truth

Replaces "widespread fact" with "commonly known truth" to emphasize the characteristic of being known by many.

a generally accepted reality

Substitutes "fact" with "reality" and "widespread" with "generally accepted" to focus on the acceptance of the situation.

a widely recognized truth

Uses "widely recognized truth" to stress the aspect of acknowledgment and acceptance by a large number of people.

a well-established fact

Replaces "widespread" with "well-established" to underline the fact's firm grounding and long-term validation.

a matter of common knowledge

Rephrases the entire expression to highlight that the fact is something that is generally known by most people.

a prevailing understanding

Focuses on the idea that the fact is a current and widely held belief or interpretation.

a public secret

This conveys something that is technically not supposed to be widely known, but in practice is.

a universal belief

Implies an even greater degree of acceptance compared to "widespread", suggesting nearly everyone believes it.

a pervasive idea

Highlights how the idea is ingrained and spread throughout a population.

an oft-cited statistic

Emphasizes frequency of reference and documentation rather than general awareness or acceptance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a widespread fact" to introduce information that is generally known and accepted. For example, "A widespread fact is that regular exercise benefits overall health."

What are some alternatives to saying "a widespread fact"?

Alternatives include "a commonly known truth", "a generally accepted reality", or "a widely recognized truth", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always safe to assume everyone knows "a widespread fact"?

No, it's not always safe. While the information may be widely known, it's best to provide context or a brief explanation, especially when communicating with diverse audiences or those unfamiliar with the subject matter. Avoid assuming prior knowledge.

What's the difference between "a widespread fact" and "a common belief"?

"A widespread fact" implies that the information is objectively true and widely accepted, while "a common belief" suggests that the information is widely held to be true, but may not necessarily be supported by evidence.