according to common wisdom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "according to common wisdom" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referencing widely accepted beliefs or opinions that are generally held by the public. Example: "According to common wisdom, eating carrots is good for your eyesight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

And according to common wisdom, it did not seem likely to do so in South Africa with Okada returning to take charge in an emergency after his predecessor had a stroke.

The New York Times - Sports

So, according to common wisdom, A would make more unfair offers if she were high on testosterone.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

According to the common wisdom, "how?" implied an ability to manage and tolerate risk.

The Economist

According to veterinarian and reproductive biologist Gregg Adams of the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Canada, the hypothesis ran so counter to common wisdom that "people just ignored it.

Science Magazine

The move ran counter to common wisdom.

The New York Times - Sports

New data out of Stanford is lending credence to common wisdom that fitness trackers suck at counting calories.

TechCrunch

According to conventional wisdom, yes.

The Guardian

The sticking-point, according to conventional wisdom, is securitisation.

The Economist

According to "conventional wisdom," what is true about older workers?

The New York Times

Necessity, according to conventional wisdom, is the mother of invention.

The New York Times - Style

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

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "according to common wisdom", ensure you're referencing a genuinely widespread belief, not a niche opinion. Back it up with evidence or examples when possible to add credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "according to common wisdom" when the belief is actually contested or limited to a specific group. This can lead to misrepresentation and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "according to common wisdom" functions as a prepositional phrase, introducing a statement or idea that is widely accepted or believed by the general public. Ludwig shows that it's used to preface assertions based on general understanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science & Research

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "according to common wisdom" is used to introduce a belief widely held by the general public. Ludwig AI affirms that it's grammatically correct but its frequency is uncommon. While versatile, it is most often found in news and media, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, be cautious about assuming universality, as what's considered 'common knowledge' can vary widely. Alternative phrases include "as generally believed" or "in popular opinion". Remember that "according to common wisdom" does not guarantee the truthfulness of the belief being presented.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as generally believed

This alternative emphasizes the widespread acceptance of the belief.

in popular opinion

This phrase highlights that the idea is favored or accepted by the majority.

the conventional understanding is

Focuses on the established and traditional nature of the belief.

the prevailing view is

This option puts more emphasis on the current dominance of the idea.

as everyone knows

This version emphasizes that the information is universally understood.

it is widely thought that

This is a more neutral way of expressing a generally held belief.

the standard line of thought suggests

Highlights that this is the typical way of thinking about something.

by all accounts

This suggests that the belief is supported by multiple independent sources.

it's a common assumption

Highlights the assumption-based nature of the belief, rather than a proven fact.

popularly

A more concise and informal alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "according to common wisdom" in a sentence?

You can use "according to common wisdom" to introduce a statement that is widely believed or accepted. For example, "According to common wisdom, early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

What's the difference between "according to common wisdom" and "according to conventional wisdom"?

"According to common wisdom" refers to general beliefs held by the public, while "according to conventional wisdom" often refers to beliefs within a specific field or discipline.

What are some alternatives to saying "according to common wisdom"?

Alternatives include "as generally believed", "in popular opinion", or "it is widely thought that", depending on the context.

Is it always safe to assume something is true "according to common wisdom"?

No, just because something is "according to common wisdom" doesn't guarantee its accuracy. It's important to critically evaluate such beliefs and seek evidence before accepting them as fact.