accepted truths

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accepted truths" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to beliefs or ideas that are widely recognized and agreed upon. For example, "In science, accepted truths often evolve as new evidence emerges." Alternative expressions include "commonly held beliefs" and "widely accepted notions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

There's been group-think, accepted truths, furphies, stereotypes.

The Guardian - Sport

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

So her works tend to read not as challenging revelations of cultural blindness but as clever, formulaic affirmations of currently accepted truths.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 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

The word "consensus" is used in this and many other articles about climate change with the implication that it's a generally accepted truth.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with active verbs like "challenge", "re-examine" or "question" to heighten the intellectual tone of your writing.

Common error

Do not use "accepted truths" to describe basic, unchanging physical constants like "gravity" or "mathematical sums". The phrase is best reserved for complex theories, historical narratives or social beliefs that are subject to human interpretation and possible re-evaluation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accepted truths" functions as a plural noun phrase where "accepted" is a past participle acting as a modifier for the head noun "truths". Ludwig AI indicates that it usually serves as a collective term for premises that a community currently holds as valid, often appearing as the object of inquiry.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "accepted truths" is a sophisticated and grammatically correct phrase widely used in high-level English. Ludwig AI demonstrates its strength in contexts involving revisionism, scientific discovery and societal critique. Because it is supported by prestigious sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker, it carries significant weight in formal discourse. Writers should employ this phrase when they want to discuss a consensus that is being scrutinized, as it effectively distinguishes between simple facts and complex, socially-sanctioned beliefs. It is a versatile tool for any writer looking to navigate the intersection of knowledge and public perception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

established facts

stresses verifiable accuracy and empirical evidence over social consensus.

received wisdom

suggests ideas that are inherited from authority or tradition without much questioning.

conventional wisdom

emphasizes widely held social agreement which may potentially be flawed.

widely held beliefs

highlights how prevalent an idea is among the general population.

canonical truths

refers to foundational or authoritative principles within a specific field or discipline.

proven facts

focuses on the scientific or logical verification of the information.

mainstream ideas

focuses more on the popularity and visibility of the concept.

settled science

specifically addresses topics where a definitive scientific consensus has been reached.

axiomatic principles

implies self-evident rules that serve as the foundation for further logic.

prevailing norms

shifts the focus from abstract truth toward standard social behaviors or standards.

FAQs

How do I use "accepted truths" in a sentence?

You can use it as the object of an action, such as "The new evidence forced historians to re-evaluate long-standing "accepted truths" about the revolution."

What can I say instead of "accepted truths"?

Depending on your specific meaning, you might use alternatives like "established facts", "received wisdom" or "conventional wisdom".

What is the difference between "accepted truths" and "facts"?

While "facts" are usually considered objective and indisputable, "accepted truths" often refers to a social or intellectual consensus that is considered true by a majority but may be open to future revision or skepticism.

Is it correct to say "universally accepted truths"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. However, adding "universally" is often seen as an intensifier that emphasizes the lack of any dissenting opinion within a given context.