as commonly thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as commonly thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a statement that contrasts with a widely held belief or assumption. Example: "Many people believe that eating carrots significantly improves vision, as commonly thought, but recent studies suggest otherwise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Pellagra, he asserted, arose not from germs, as commonly thought, but from deficient diets.

The New York Times - Health

The "defensive walls" — i.e., the Maginot Line — weren't as bad an idea as commonly thought.

The Washington Post

It is difficult to imagine anyone performing the same trick on Doyle's life (his surname was "Doyle" rather than "Conan Doyle", as commonly thought).

The Guardian - Books

The density of nonprofit organizations matters instead, suggesting that declines in traditional social capital may not be as consequential for civic capacity as commonly thought.

Harvard University

Of the F.D.R.-Churchill alliance, which became so crucial, Jenkins argues that beneath the camaraderie the emotional link was never as close as commonly thought -- more a partnership of circumstances and convenience than a friendship of individuals.

The New York Times - Books

The density of community nonprofit organizations matters instead, suggesting that declines in many forms of traditional social capital may not be as consequential for civic capacity as commonly thought.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

In 2005, Barry Marshall, an Australian gastroenterologist and researcher, shared the Nobel Prize in Medicine for the discovery that peptic ulcers are caused not by stress, as was commonly thought, but by a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori.

The New Yorker

Child care, he says, is not as expensive, as rare or as harmful as is commonly thought.

The Economist

The exhibition title, Time Islands And Space Islands, perhaps suggests that the globalised world is not as homogenous as is commonly thought.

The Guardian - Arts

On the one hand, information underlies the intuitive understanding of standard logical notions such as inference (commonly thought of as the process that turns implicit information into explicit one) and computation.

SEP

But Chinese exports may not contribute as much to the country's growth as is commonly thought, said Lawrence Lau, president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as commonly thought", ensure that the statement following it presents a clear and well-supported alternative perspective. This enhances clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "as commonly thought" to dismiss genuinely niche perspectives. Only use it when the prevailing idea is actually widespread; otherwise, you weaken your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as commonly thought" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by introducing a contrast to a prevalent belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to preface a statement that challenges or nuances a widespread assumption.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

29%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as commonly thought" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to introduce a perspective that challenges or nuances a widespread belief. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, highlighting its role in prefacing statements that deviate from common assumptions. While prevalent across various sources, it is especially frequent in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that the subsequent statement presents a clear, supported alternative to strengthen the argument and provide depth to your writing. Avoid using it to dismiss niche perspectives, which could weaken your credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrary to popular belief

Emphasizes a direct contradiction of a widely held belief, providing a slightly stronger contrast than "as commonly thought".

contrary to what is generally believed

Similar to 'contrary to popular belief' but uses a more formal tone.

against popular opinion

Directly opposes a viewpoint held by many, making it a stronger assertion than the original phrase.

unlike what most people think

Uses a more personal and direct tone, suggesting a personal observation that deviates from the norm.

despite common perception

Highlights a divergence from a common viewpoint, placing emphasis on the act of perceiving.

popularly misconceived

Implies that the common thought is not only different but also incorrect.

not as widely understood

Focuses on the lack of broad comprehension rather than a direct contradiction of an idea.

contrary to expectation

Suggests a deviation from what might normally be expected, rather than a belief.

it is often assumed that

Introduces a common assumption, setting the stage for a contrasting statement, but is less direct than "as commonly thought".

though it is often assumed

Acknowledges the common assumption while preparing to introduce a different perspective, similar in function but slightly less assertive.

FAQs

How can I use "as commonly thought" in a sentence?

Use "as commonly thought" to introduce a fact or idea that contrasts with what most people believe. For example: "Electric vehicles are often seen as environmentally friendly, but, "as commonly thought", their environmental benefits are more nuanced."

What are some alternatives to "as commonly thought"?

You can use phrases such as "contrary to popular belief", "unlike what most people think", or "despite common perception" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it always necessary to provide evidence when using "as commonly thought"?

While not always explicitly required, providing evidence or a reasoned explanation after using "as commonly thought" strengthens your argument and makes your statement more persuasive. For instance, you could say, "The Maginot Line wasn't as bad an idea "as commonly thought", due to some key aspects."

What's the difference between "as commonly thought" and "as is commonly known"?

"As commonly thought" introduces an idea that is generally believed but potentially incorrect, while "as is commonly known" introduces a fact that is widely accepted as true. For instance, you might say, "Baldness is not caused by excess testosterone "as commonly thought"." but "Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius, as is commonly known."