accepted truth

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accepted truth" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a belief or idea that is widely recognized and acknowledged as true within a particular context or community. Example: "In the scientific community, the theory of evolution is often regarded as an accepted truth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

The "lost generation" implies a foregone conclusion, an accepted truth, with no opportunity for defence or explanations.

The Guardian

It is more elusive and intangible, and often about a certain skepticism and ironical attitude toward authority and accepted truth.

The New York Times

The interviews help reveal how what began as gossip made the rounds in expatriate circles in Beijing until it became an accepted truth about the Bo family.

The New York Times

Time was that children's behavior in the classroom reflected on their "upbringing" and parents were expected to reinforce an accepted truth that "teacher knows best".

The New York Times - Style

We were being told that the Russians were the enemy and we had to arm ourselves and that was the accepted truth.

The Guardian - Arts

It's a generally accepted truth that men love to feed our sporting hobbies with exorbitant, extravagant equipment: and we love to talk about our newest discoveries and acquisitions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

A long trial looms, but there are some accepted truths.

The New York Times

Mr. Salaam likes to think about what lies behind accepted truths.

The New York Times

She is a woman with a searching mind; she looks at accepted truths and challenges them.

The Guardian - Books

It begins with axioms, or accepted truths, and employs a series of logical statements to arrive at a conclusion.

The New Yorker

In this text, Nietzsche puts forward the hypothesis that scientific concepts are chains of metaphors hardened into accepted truths.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When challenging an "accepted truth", provide strong evidence and logical reasoning to support your counter-argument.

Common error

Avoid treating an "accepted truth" as infallible. Recognize that it can be subject to change or re-evaluation based on new evidence or perspectives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accepted truth" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a belief or idea that is widely acknowledged as valid. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "accepted truth" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a widely held belief or idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for use across various contexts, though it's important to recognize that an "accepted truth" isn't necessarily an absolute one. It's more frequent in News & Media and Science contexts. Alternatives like "established fact" or "conventional wisdom" offer similar meanings with slight variations in nuance. When writing, remember to support challenges to any "accepted truth" with substantial evidence. Remember that blindly embracing any "accepted truth" may lead to oversimplification or ignoring counter-evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

established fact

Focuses on the factual basis and widespread agreement.

conventional wisdom

Emphasizes the traditional and widely held nature of the belief.

prevailing belief

Highlights the current and dominant nature of the belief.

common knowledge

Indicates that the information is widely known and understood.

received wisdom

Suggests that the belief has been passed down and accepted without question.

axiomatic truth

Implies that the truth is self-evident and requires no proof.

standard understanding

Focuses on the widespread agreement on a particular interpretation.

general consensus

Highlights the agreement among a group of people.

universal belief

Emphasizes the widespread nature of the belief across different groups.

widely held view

Focuses on the widespread perspective or opinion.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "accepted truth"?

Alternatives include "established fact", "conventional wisdom", or "common knowledge" depending on the context.

How does "accepted truth" differ from "scientific fact"?

"Accepted truth" refers to beliefs widely regarded as correct, which may or may not be scientifically proven. "Scientific fact", on the other hand, is based on empirical evidence and rigorous testing.

Is it always appropriate to challenge an "accepted truth"?

Challenging an "accepted truth" can be beneficial for progress, but it's essential to do so with respect, evidence, and a willingness to consider alternative viewpoints.

How can an idea become an "accepted truth"?

An idea can become an "accepted truth" through repeated validation, cultural reinforcement, lack of contradictory evidence, or strong advocacy by influential figures.