accepted wisdom

USAGE SUMMARY

"accepted wisdom" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a belief that is widely accepted as being true or generally agreed upon. For example, "It is accepted wisdom that one should always maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The accepted wisdom is wrong.

The New York Times

It quickly became accepted wisdom in Kamaishi.

The New York Times

Two connected statistics update the accepted wisdom.

The Guardian

Some of the paper's results challenge accepted wisdom.

The Economist

Look closer, however, and those figures contradict accepted wisdom.

The Economist

But this accepted wisdom is fast becoming out of date.

The New York Times

The leader reiterated the accepted wisdom: keep Zelda's world intact.

The Washington Post

1958 -- "The greatest game ever played," according to accepted wisdom.

The New York Times

In it, every accepted wisdom of the medium is contravened.

The New York Times - Arts

In some cases, their findings ran counter to accepted wisdom.

The New York Times

The accepted wisdom is not to do this.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "accepted wisdom" in your writing, contextualize it. Clearly identify who accepts it and why. This adds depth and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid uncritically accepting and repeating "accepted wisdom" without your own analysis. Always consider alternative perspectives and evaluate the evidence before incorporating it into your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accepted wisdom" functions as a noun phrase that refers to a belief or idea that is widely accepted as true or valid. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts. It often serves as a subject or object within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "accepted wisdom" is a noun phrase denoting a widely held belief or understanding, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While often treated as valid, it's crucial to critically evaluate "accepted wisdom" rather than blindly accepting it. Its purpose in communication is to reference shared knowledge, which can then be either reinforced or challenged. Alternatives include ""conventional belief"" and ""common knowledge"". Use the phrase to denote beliefs widely held as valid, while always remaining aware of the importance of critical analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conventional belief

Focuses on the traditional or established nature of the belief.

common knowledge

Implies that the information is generally known and doesn't require expertise.

prevailing thought

Highlights the current dominant perspective or opinion.

established view

Emphasizes the long-standing and well-supported nature of the viewpoint.

received opinion

Suggests the idea has been passed down and accepted without critical examination.

mainstream thinking

Indicates the idea is part of the dominant or popular way of thinking.

popular belief

Stresses the widespread acceptance of the idea among the general population.

general consensus

Highlights the agreement among a group of people, often experts, on a particular matter.

traditional knowledge

Refers to knowledge that has been accumulated over generations within a community or culture.

widely held view

Simply states that a particular viewpoint is held by a large number of people.

FAQs

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

You can use "accepted wisdom" to refer to beliefs or ideas that are widely considered true. For example, "The "accepted wisdom" is that a balanced diet is essential for good health."

What are some alternatives to "accepted wisdom"?

Alternatives to "accepted wisdom" include "conventional belief", "common knowledge", or "prevailing thought", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When should I challenge "accepted wisdom"?

You should challenge "accepted wisdom" when you have evidence or reasoning that contradicts it. This can lead to new insights and a deeper understanding of the subject.

Is "accepted wisdom" always correct?

No, "accepted wisdom" is not always correct. It represents a widely held belief, which may or may not be supported by evidence. Critical evaluation is always recommended.