as is commonly understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as is commonly understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a statement or concept is widely accepted or recognized by most people. Example: "The term 'sustainability' refers to practices that, as is commonly understood, aim to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The group was not a school, as is commonly understood in artistic circles, but a remarkably talented collection of intellectuals who liked to eat good French food and converse, among other activities.

The New York Times

What is overlooked, however, is that the word Islam here applies to a relationship with the Divine, "submission" or "consent," not a religion as is commonly understood.

Huffington Post

However, this CI does not, as is commonly understood, refer to an interval which contains θ (either ��c or θp) with a 95% probability.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Sir Christopher Frayling, rector of the Royal College of Art The essence of Derrida is inter-linear analysis: that is, reading between the lines as well as on them; seeing what lies behind a text as well as what is commonly understood as its meaning.

The Guardian - Books

If Ms. Weihs's illustrations exemplify moodiness as it is commonly understood, so too do the watercolor illustrations of Jean Tseng, an American who was born in Taiwan in 1940, and Mou-sien Tseng, an American who was born in Taiwan in 1936.

The New York Times

Church leaders printed up a sheet of talking points to help staff members deflect the charge that Bell was a universalist, because many Christians consider universalism heretical: "Love Wins" does not promote universalism as it is commonly understood (all will be saved, regardless of their faith), so we ask that you would please avoid using that term.

The New Yorker

According to the orthodox view, the practice itself (and ultimately the very idea of law as that is commonly understood; cf. Raz 1986: 1114, 1994: 235 ff).

SEP

But such an admission will undermine the relativist's attempt to convince others of her position, for the very act of argumentation, as it is commonly understood, is an attempt to convince those who disagree with us of the falsehood of their position.

SEP

It is important to note that the "gay" identity claimed by Soweto MSM does not map neatly onto "western" or "global" gay identity as it is commonly understood.

AIDS and Behavior

To consider this issue does not necessarily mean that we advocate the societal perspective as it is commonly understood, or that we reject the arguments regarding fairness.

BMC Health Services Research

The economic dimension of sustainability is perhaps the easiest one to comprehend because money as economic measure is commonly understood as "the more the better" (except for costs).

Forest Ecosystems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as is commonly understood" to ensure your audience shares a basic understanding of the topic. This helps prevent misinterpretations and builds a common ground for discussion.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "as is commonly understood" in your writing. While it can be useful, relying on it too frequently can make your text sound repetitive and condescending. Use it judiciously when you truly need to emphasize a shared understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as is commonly understood" functions as a disclaimer or qualifier, indicating that the following statement is based on a generally accepted understanding. It serves to establish a common ground between the writer and the audience. Ludwig AI shows examples in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as is commonly understood" is a useful tool for clarifying statements based on shared knowledge, according to Ludwig. It functions as a qualifier to ensure the audience has a common foundation for understanding. While grammatically correct and widely applicable, it should be used judiciously to avoid redundancy. This phrase is suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts, aiming to promote clarity and prevent misinterpretations. Alternatives like "as generally accepted" or "as widely known" can offer similar meanings with subtle differences in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as generally accepted

Emphasizes widespread acceptance of an idea.

as widely known

Focuses on the broad knowledge of a fact or concept.

as is well recognized

Highlights the acknowledgment and recognition of something.

in common parlance

Refers to how something is typically expressed or understood in everyday language.

by popular definition

Indicates a definition that is widely accepted, although possibly not technically precise.

in the conventional sense

Highlights adherence to traditional or standard interpretations.

as people understand it

Focuses on the understanding of the general population.

in layman's terms

Indicates an explanation simplified for non-experts.

as the saying goes

Introduces a common saying or expression.

according to common belief

Highlights beliefs that are widely held.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "as is commonly understood" to sound more formal?

Consider using phrases such as "as is widely recognized", "as is generally accepted", or "as is well established" to maintain a formal tone.

Is it always necessary to use "as is commonly understood" when referring to generally known facts?

No, it is not always necessary. Only use "as is commonly understood" when there's a risk of misinterpretation or when you specifically want to emphasize that a concept is broadly accepted. If a fact is universally known, stating it directly is often sufficient.

What is the difference between "as is commonly understood" and "as is traditionally understood"?

"As is commonly understood" refers to contemporary understanding, while "as is traditionally understood" refers to historical or long-standing interpretations. Use the latter when referring to established customs or beliefs.

Can "as is commonly understood" be used in argumentative writing?

Yes, but use it carefully. You can use "as is commonly understood" to establish a baseline understanding before presenting a counterargument or a nuanced perspective. However, avoid using it to dismiss opposing viewpoints.