as generally believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as generally believed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a common understanding or widely accepted notion about a particular topic. Example: "The theory suggests that, as generally believed, the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But critics say the profession of fingerprint analysis is not as rigorous as generally believed.

The New York Times

Job losses from trade agreements are not as high as generally believed — the Brookings Institution blames NAFTA for a net reduction of about a hundred thousand manufacturing jobs — but new provisions in trade pacts could focus on specific plans for helping workers affected by them.

The New Yorker

The results indicated that pitting at the interfaces was not caused, as generally believed, by microgalvanic corrosion between the stainless steel phase and the amorphous matrix, but caused by the formation of Fe3O4 oxide at the interfaces due to the strong tendency towards oxidation of stainless steel particles in thermal spraying processes.

Electrochimica Acta

Moreover, as Parsi points out, some don't consider Khamenei's statement on Saturday confirming the election result to be as paramount as generally believed because he did not ever mention Ahmadinejad by name.

Huffington Post

After the riots, however, scientist and clergyman Joseph Priestley argued in his An Appeal to the Public on the Subject of the Birmingham Riots (1791) that this cooperation had not in fact been as amicable as generally believed.

Wikipedia

It is shown that psychedelic drugs, especially phenylalkylamines, are not as selective as generally believed, interacting with forty-two oforty-ninene broassayedsites sites.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The dominant water-water bonding must then take over, if water consisted, as was generally believed, as a single continuous three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network in which water-water bonding was, in general, stronger than water-surface bonding [3].

Plosone

"The spread of nuclear weapons, even to such countries as North Korea and Iran, may not be as catastrophic as is generally believed and certainly does not meet the category of threat than can justify the suppression of civil liberties of the pursuit of pre-emptive wars".

The New York Times - Books

The drug industry conducts studies, but does not discuss the results -- in part, some in the advertising world suspect, because certain commercials are not as successful as is generally believed.

The New York Times

Zhang Hemin, Wolong's director, argues that pandas are not as afraid of human beings as is generally believed.

The Economist

That same month, The New York Daily News discovered that Mrs. Giuliani had been married twice before — not once, as had been generally believed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as generally believed" to introduce a statement that reflects a common understanding, but be prepared to offer evidence or acknowledge alternative perspectives if necessary.

Common error

Avoid uncritically accepting claims introduced by "as generally believed". Always evaluate the validity of the belief and consider providing counter-evidence if available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as generally believed" functions as an introductory element in a sentence. It sets the stage by indicating that the subsequent statement reflects a common, albeit possibly unverified, understanding. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as generally believed" is a versatile phrase used to introduce common knowledge or assumptions. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts. While prevalent in scientific and news media, it's essential to critically evaluate the information presented after this phrase. Be mindful of over-reliance on common beliefs without proper scrutiny. Alternatives like "as commonly thought" or "as widely accepted" can offer similar meaning with slight nuances. Keep in mind that "as generally believed" introduces an idea that is widely accepted but it may need further exploration or qualification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as commonly thought

Replaces "believed" with "thought", focusing on popular opinion.

as widely accepted

Emphasizes widespread agreement rather than belief.

as is the common understanding

Uses a more formal and explicit structure.

according to popular belief

Highlights the role of popular consensus.

it is commonly understood that

Shifts the emphasis to a more impersonal construction.

the prevailing wisdom suggests

Implies a dominant viewpoint or school of thought.

the conventional view holds that

Focuses on established or traditional perspectives.

it's a widespread assumption that

Highlights the assumption aspect of the belief.

the general consensus is that

Emphasizes the agreement among a group.

what most people think is that

Uses a simpler, more direct phrasing.

FAQs

How can I use "as generally believed" in a sentence?

Use "as generally believed" to introduce an idea that is widely accepted or a common assumption, such as, "As generally believed, exercise is beneficial for overall health."

What are some alternatives to "as generally believed"?

Alternatives include "as commonly thought", "as widely accepted", or "according to popular belief", depending on the context.

Is it always safe to assume something "as generally believed"?

No, it's important to critically evaluate information, even if it's "as generally believed". Common beliefs can sometimes be inaccurate or lack sufficient evidence.

When is it appropriate to use "as generally believed" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to introduce a concept that is widely held but may need further exploration or qualification. Be mindful to support the claim or provide alternative viewpoints.