a widespread point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a widespread point" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a commonly accepted idea or argument that is recognized by many people. Example: "In discussions about climate change, a widespread point is that immediate action is necessary to mitigate its effects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The allegations of racism became a widespread point of contention after the shooting, fueling protests throughout the country.

The New York Times

The documentary--now showing in limited theaters--returns to these protesters two more times in the short film, as if Westboro somehow represents a widespread point of view that needs to be refuted.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As a consequence of their broad and widespread point to point connections, neurons in the central thalamus are progressively more deafferented with severity of structural brain injuries (Maxwell et al., 2006).

eLife

One widespread point of agreement in Congress after Wednesday's baseball practice shooting was that the toll would have been much worse had Republican Whip Steve Scalise's security detail not been at the playing field.

Los Angeles Times

Thus, the widespread point mutations and de novo DNA damage seen in autism could be an effect, not a cause.

Dermato-Endocrinology

Ralph Beard, who propelled the University of Kentucky to two consecutive N.C.A.A. basketball championships in the late 1940s, and starred in the N.B.A. before his career was shattered by involvement in a widespread collegiate point-shaving scandal, died Thursday in Louisville, Ky.

The New York Times - Sports

Ralph Beard, who propelled the University of Kentucky to two consecutive N.C.A.A. basketball championships in the late 1940s, and starred in the N.B.A. before his career was shattered by involvement in a widespread collegiate point-shaving scandal, died yesterday in Louisville, Ky.

The New York Times

The WHO global report on violence prevention points towards a widespread weapons availability, pointing towards background checks, safe storage regulations and more restrictive regulation.

BMJ Open

The current excellent demonstrations suggest a solid foundation for the development of practical and widespread point-of-care genomic diagnostic devices.

BioMed Research International

Thus, East Asians would show more widespread points of visual focus, with shorter fixation durations, de-prioritizing featural details as they have to attend from point to point within a limited amount of time.

Plosone

"Even if he doesn't actually win, this feels like a win for @BernieSanders," tweeted Associated Press reporter Lisa Lerer the night of the Iowa vote, echoing a widespread media talking point.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a widespread point", ensure that the context clearly indicates that the point is indeed commonly accepted or held by a significant number of people.

Common error

Avoid using "a widespread point" if the idea is not genuinely accepted by a broad audience. Overstating the prevalence of an opinion can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widespread point" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a commonly held idea or argument. As Ludwig indicates, it's a way to preface something generally accepted or recognized. It often acts as the subject or object of a sentence, setting the stage for further discussion or analysis.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a widespread point" is a noun phrase used to introduce a commonly accepted idea or argument. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile, suitable for various contexts. Although it is found across diverse sources, News & Media, Science and Academia are primary contexts for it.

However, it is important to ensure that the idea you are presenting is actually widely held, to maintain credibility. Remember that alternative phrases like ""a common viewpoint"" or ""a prevalent idea"" might be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common viewpoint

Replaces "point" with "viewpoint", emphasizing a perspective held by many.

a prevalent idea

Substitutes "point" with "idea" and "widespread" with "prevalent", suggesting a commonly held concept.

a general consensus

Replaces the entire phrase to denote agreement among a group.

a shared belief

Emphasizes the communal nature of the belief, rather than the argument itself.

a common understanding

Focuses on the shared comprehension of a concept.

a widely accepted notion

Replaces "point" with "notion", conveying a generally accepted idea.

a prevailing opinion

Highlights the dominant opinion on a particular topic.

a typical argument

Indicates a frequently used or standard argument.

a usual perspective

Focuses on the conventional or standard perspective on a matter.

a public sentiment

Refers to the general feeling or attitude held by the public.

FAQs

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

You can use "a widespread point" to introduce a commonly held belief or argument. For instance, "A widespread point in the debate is the need for sustainable solutions".

What's a good alternative to "a widespread point"?

Alternatives include "a common viewpoint", "a prevalent idea", or "a general consensus", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "a widespread point" or "a widely held belief"?

Both phrases are correct, but "a widely held belief" emphasizes the acceptance of an idea, while "a widespread point" focuses on the argument itself. The better choice depends on your intended focus.

What does it mean when something is described as "a widespread point"?

It means that the idea or argument being presented is commonly accepted, recognized, or believed by a large number of people or within a particular group.