accepted notions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accepted notions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to widely held beliefs or ideas that are generally recognized or acknowledged by a group or society. Example: "The study challenges several accepted notions about the effectiveness of traditional teaching methods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These results challenge many accepted notions about online life.

Harvard University

In fact, few commonly accepted notions of folk style apply to the entire field.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Reading specialists and educators have testified in professional journals that the program hews closely to accepted notions about fostering literacy.

The New York Times - Arts

Dissent has primarily been associated with the activity of critical thinking, or thinking for oneself and questioning accepted notions of authority, truth, and meaning.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To grasp the implications of this situation, society in general and the medical profession in particular was forced to rethink accepted notions about death itself.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She devised cultural forms of resistance in her reimaginings of mythological and biblical themes and sought to redefine accepted notions of gendered identity.

The Guardian - Arts

He drew on these feelings to dismantle accepted notions about China, about how novels worked, and how the nations of the Pacific might consider relating to each other.

The New Yorker

This drawn-out procedure is sure to become a source of continual disruption throughout this year's election campaigns, and it violates accepted notions of fair play.

The New York Times

The seminar also will require students to reexamine long accepted notions of "self-expression" and the social dimensions of literati painting and calligraphy.

Columbia University

"Had he been consigned instead to the job of an assistant to a professor," Isaacson points out, "he might have felt compelled to churn out safe publications and be overly cautious in challenging accepted notions".

The New Yorker

One of the commonly accepted notions of folk style is that it is naive; it is thought to be childlike and fresh, despite the fact that some of its 19th-century critics condemned its "meaningless repetitions" and its "degenerate" forms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to challenge or question established viewpoints, use "accepted notions" to frame the common beliefs you are addressing. This sets a clear context for your argument.

Common error

Avoid simply mentioning "accepted notions" without providing specific examples or analysis. To strengthen your writing, identify the specific beliefs and explain why they are being questioned or challenged.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accepted notions" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. According to Ludwig, it describes beliefs or ideas generally recognized. It is used to introduce concepts that are either being supported, challenged, or re-evaluated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

17%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Science

14%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "accepted notions" is a versatile term used to refer to beliefs or ideas that are generally recognized and acknowledged by a group or society. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts. Occurring most often in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Academia, "accepted notions" sets the stage for critical discussions or challenges to established viewpoints. To enhance your writing, be specific when referencing these notions, and consider using alternatives like "prevailing beliefs" or "conventional wisdom" to add nuance. In conclusion, using "accepted notions" effectively involves both recognizing its common usage and employing it strategically to frame your arguments and analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevailing beliefs

Focuses on the current or widespread nature of the belief.

conventional wisdom

Emphasizes the traditional and widely accepted nature of the idea.

established ideas

Highlights the long-standing and well-recognized aspect of the concept.

common assumptions

Stresses the underlying and often unexamined nature of the beliefs.

traditional views

Points to the historical and time-honored perspective.

popular beliefs

Focuses on how widely believed the notions are.

received wisdom

Implies the beliefs have been passed down and are generally unquestioned.

mainstream thinking

Indicates ideas that are part of the dominant or widely accepted viewpoint.

standard assumptions

Implies that the assumptions are normal, generally shared and unsaid.

normative ideas

Emphasizes the role of these ideas in establishing norms and standards.

FAQs

How can I use "accepted notions" in a sentence?

You can use "accepted notions" to refer to beliefs or ideas generally recognized or acknowledged, such as, "The research challenges several "accepted notions" about online life".

What are some alternatives to "accepted notions"?

Some alternatives include "prevailing beliefs", "conventional wisdom", or "established ideas" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "accepted notions" or "widely held beliefs"?

"Accepted notions" and "widely held beliefs" are similar, but "accepted notions" might imply a more formal or established understanding, while "widely held beliefs" simply indicates popularity.

When should I challenge "accepted notions" in my writing?

Challenge "accepted notions" when you have evidence or arguments that contradict or question those beliefs, aiming to promote critical thinking and new perspectives.