as it is commonly conceived

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as it is commonly conceived" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a widely accepted or traditional understanding of a concept or idea. Example: "The theory of evolution is often misunderstood, as it is commonly conceived to imply that humans evolved directly from apes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Pseudoscience, as it is commonly conceived, involves a sustained effort to promote teachings different from those that have scientific legitimacy at the time.

SEP

Individual identity, as it is commonly conceived, is the sum of the characteristics of an individual animal that distinguish it from other members of its species.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

She told him (and the rabbits that sometimes surreptitiously accompanied the riders) that people were becoming more and more unbalanced: studies had proved it, which led the psychiatrist to conjecture that perhaps mental instability was not so much a disease as a stratum of normality, just below the surface of normality as it was commonly conceived.

The New Yorker

Time moves forward, we often say, while space is commonly conceived as merely an empty gap that passively rests between, for example, the walls of a house or the beams of a bridge.

SEP

HRQOL is commonly conceived as dynamic, subjective, and multidimensional, and the dimensions often include physical, social, psychological, and spiritual factors [ 7].

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

They also suggest that "adapting" to climate change may be more of a challenge than is commonly conceived.

Huffington Post

Broussonetia papyrifera or paper mulberry, as it is commonly known.

Huffington Post

It should be noted that although pure alexia and prosopagnosia are commonly conceived of as category-specific visual agnosias, this view is not universally held.

Cerebral Cortex

Early warning systems are commonly conceived as a linear chain from the risk diagnosis to the dissemination of alerts to vulnerable groups.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Music that, in Grisey's words, "treats time as a constituent element of sound itself" is a profound departure from much of contemporary music, in which interactions of tones are commonly conceived independently of the time in which they occur.

The New York Times - Arts

That's not a restaurant as it's commonly understood; it's Brigadoon".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as it is commonly conceived" to introduce a widely held belief or understanding, especially when you intend to contrast it with a more nuanced or accurate perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "as it is commonly conceived" too frequently in your writing. It can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "as generally understood" or "in the popular understanding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as it is commonly conceived" functions as an introductory element, setting the stage for a discussion or analysis of a concept. It often precedes a contrasting or clarifying statement, indicating that the common understanding may be incomplete or inaccurate. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase introduces a shared understanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as it is commonly conceived" is a grammatically correct and useful way to introduce a widely held understanding of a concept, often as a precursor to offering a more nuanced perspective. While not overly frequent, as supported by Ludwig's analysis, it appears in reputable sources across Science, News & Media, and Encyclopedias. To prevent redundancy, it is advisable to consider alternatives like "as generally understood" or "typically perceived", maintaining clarity and avoiding overuse. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides a solid basis for its appropriate use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as generally understood

Focuses on the understanding aspect rather than the conception.

as typically perceived

Emphasizes the perception aspect of the idea.

in the popular understanding

Highlights the broad public's perspective.

as it's widely accepted

Highlights acceptance as the core element.

in common parlance

Refers to the way something is generally spoken about.

by general consensus

Focuses on agreement among a group.

as popularly believed

Highlights the element of belief.

in the conventional sense

Emphasizes adherence to established norms.

as things are normally seen

Focuses on usual perception.

according to common wisdom

Highlights reliance on traditional knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "as it is commonly conceived" in a sentence?

Use "as it is commonly conceived" to introduce a viewpoint that is widely held, often as a setup to offer a different perspective or nuance. For example: "The theory of evolution, "as it is commonly conceived", suggests continuous progress, though evolution does not necessarily lead to increased complexity.

What are some alternatives to "as it is commonly conceived"?

You can use alternatives such as "as generally understood", "as typically perceived", or "in the popular understanding depending on the specific nuance you want to convey".

Is it always appropriate to use "as it is commonly conceived"?

While grammatically correct, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Use it when you specifically want to highlight a contrast between common understanding and a more precise or different viewpoint. Otherwise, consider alternatives for variety.

What's the difference between "as it is commonly conceived" and "as it is generally known"?

"As it is commonly conceived" refers to a shared understanding or interpretation of a concept, while "as it is generally known" simply indicates widespread awareness of a fact or piece of information. The former implies a perspective, while the latter implies knowledge.