a widespread understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a widespread understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a common or general comprehension of a concept, idea, or situation among a large group of people. Example: "There is a widespread understanding that climate change is a pressing global issue that requires immediate action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

There is a widespread understanding that Strachan will depart the international scene if his players do not return from England with victory.

The Guardian - Sport

(The C.I.A. stands by all but one of Bikowsky's claims, and says that her assertions about the techniques reflected a widespread understanding.

The New Yorker

She attributes this, in part, to a widespread understanding of the benefits of vaccines, after decades of government campaigns promoting immunization.

Nature

"I think there is a widespread understanding that the European Union isn't going to go for managed divergence," Mr. Rahman said.

The New York Times

"There is also a widespread understanding of the need to ensure that business can properly work under any new structure while ensuring the existence of certain protections".

The New York Times

"There is a widespread understanding," writes the diplomat, "that Khodorkovsky violated the tacit rules of the game: if you keep out of politics, you can line your pockets as much as you desire".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

As difficult as the lesson has been to learn, there is now a more widespread understanding of the need to quickly embrace so-called smart cards.

Forbes

Interpreting all the information supplied by the 3-D MT studies jointly with other evidence (e.g. geological, geophysical, hydrogeological) leads us to a more widespread understanding of the internal structure of the island.

Earth, Planets and Space

There's an increasingly widespread understanding that racism is more than the use of certain words or blatant discrimination.

Vice

However, its application for solving ecological problems has been sparse, perhaps due to a lack of widespread understanding.

Ecological Modelling

The Wellcome Collection's head of public programmes James Peto called O'Sullivan's book "a thoughtful, humane and heartfelt plea for a deeper and more widespread understanding of the intensely debilitating conditions she describes.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a widespread understanding", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being understood and by whom. Specificity enhances clarity and credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "a widespread understanding" if the understanding is limited to a specific group or lacks substantial evidence. Overstating its breadth can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a widespread understanding" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of shared knowledge or comprehension among a significant number of people. Ludwig AI shows that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a widespread understanding" is a noun phrase used to describe a shared comprehension among a significant group of people. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, especially News & Media and Scientific publications. While versatile, it's important to ensure the stated understanding truly is widespread and to specify the subject of understanding for maximum clarity. Alternative phrasing such as "a general understanding" or "a common understanding" can be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a general understanding

Replaces "widespread" with "general", indicating a broad but potentially less pervasive understanding.

a common understanding

Substitutes "widespread" with "common", emphasizing shared comprehension.

a broad consensus

Changes the structure to emphasize agreement rather than comprehension, using "consensus".

a shared awareness

Replaces "understanding" with "awareness", highlighting a collective recognition.

a general recognition

Similar to awareness, but implies acknowledgement of something's importance or existence.

a prevalent belief

Shifts focus from understanding to belief, suggesting a commonly held conviction.

a prevailing view

Indicates a dominant perspective, which may not necessarily be based on full understanding.

a collective knowledge

Emphasizes the accumulation of knowledge within a group.

a public perception

Focuses on how something is viewed by the public, rather than understood.

a well-established notion

Highlights that the understanding is not just widespread, but also firmly established.

FAQs

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

You can use "a widespread understanding" to indicate that a concept, idea, or fact is generally comprehended by a large number of people. For instance, "There is "a widespread understanding" of the importance of recycling for environmental conservation."

What are some alternatives to "a widespread understanding"?

Alternatives include "a general understanding", "a common understanding", or "a broad consensus" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a wide-spread understanding" instead of "a widespread understanding"?

While "wide-spread" might seem similar, the correct and more commonly used form is "a widespread understanding". "Widespread" is typically written as a single word when used as an adjective.

How does "a widespread understanding" differ from "a common belief"?

"A widespread understanding" implies a general comprehension or knowledge, while "a common belief" suggests a generally held conviction or opinion. The former focuses on knowledge, the latter on faith or acceptance.