a widespread opinion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a widespread opinion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a belief or viewpoint that is commonly held by a large number of people. Example: "There is a widespread opinion that climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

There is a widespread opinion that women suffer emotionally from having an abortion, but only few longitudinal studies have actually investigated how abortion influences women's well-being.

Princeton University

There is a widespread opinion that the British empire was obtained and maintained with a minimum degree of force and with maximum co-operation from a grateful local population.

The Guardian - Books

There is a widespread opinion that the British empire was obtained and maintained with a minimum degree of force and with maximum co-operation from a grateful local population.

The Guardian - Books

There is a widespread opinion among seismologists that the overwhelming majority of main shocks can be considered to be independent random variables.

Earth, Planets and Space

Among clinicians, however, there seem to be a widespread opinion that therapeutic hypothermia has a positive inotropic effect and improves cardiac systolic performance as long as heart rate is not increased [17,18].

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

On the contrary, a widespread opinion in many societies is the view that evolution is not a well documented doctrine but "simply a theory" in the sense that it is just an unsupported hypothetical idea, similar to the UFOs or life in other planets.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"There is a somewhat widespread opinion that something needs to change," he said.

Vice

In fact, it's just a very, very widespread opinion, not to mention another example of Westerners thinking they know best.

HuffPost

This view is of a piece with the widespread opinion, held not only by the courts but by successive governments and large swaths of public opinion, that heavy sentences have a deterrent effect.

The Guardian - Opinion

As one of America's most divisive issues, affirmative action has long inspired intense debate and widespread opinion, a good deal of which was directed at the Court in 2003, when it last addressed this issue in a pair of cases involving the admissions policies at the undergraduate program and law school of the University of Michigan.

Forbes

On the other hand, I had to learn that in contrast to the widespread opinion, working as a teacher requires a high quantity of work, of which a significant portion is pure routine.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a widespread opinion", ensure you provide context or evidence to support the claim. Avoid presenting it as an absolute truth without backing it up.

Common error

Avoid using "a widespread opinion" when the belief is only prevalent within a specific group or community. Be precise about who holds the opinion and avoid generalizations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widespread opinion" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It introduces a concept of shared belief. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a widespread opinion" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to introduce a belief held by many. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Predominantly found in science and news media, its register remains neutral, making it suitable for diverse contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context and avoid overstating the scope of the opinion. Alternative phrases like "a common belief" or "a prevailing view" can offer nuanced substitutes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common belief

Emphasizes the shared nature of the belief among a group.

a prevailing view

Highlights that the view is currently dominant or popular.

a generally held conviction

Focuses on the strength and certainty of the belief.

a widely accepted idea

Suggests that the idea has been embraced by many.

a popular perception

Highlights how something is commonly understood or viewed.

a mainstream thought

Implies the thought is part of the dominant ideology or thinking.

a conventional wisdom

Refers to a belief that is widely accepted but may not be critically examined.

a shared understanding

Focuses on the agreement among individuals on a particular matter.

the consensus

Implies a general agreement or accord among a group of people.

a public sentiment

Describes the feelings or opinions held by the general public.

FAQs

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

You can use "a widespread opinion" to introduce a commonly held belief or viewpoint. For example, "There is "a widespread opinion" that education is key to success."

What phrases are similar to "a widespread opinion"?

Similar phrases include "a common belief", "a prevailing view", or "a generally held conviction". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always accurate to say "a widespread opinion"?

Not necessarily. While it suggests a broad consensus, it's important to verify whether the opinion truly is widely held, or if it's limited to a specific group or context. Ensure you have evidence to support your claim.

What's the difference between "a widespread opinion" and "a popular belief"?

"A widespread opinion" indicates a broad acceptance, while "a popular belief" may suggest something more fashionable or transient. An opinion is more of a reasoned argument, while a belief may not be based on reasoning.