as traditionally thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as traditionally thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a common belief or understanding that has been held over time. Example: "The theory suggests that the universe is static, as traditionally thought, but recent evidence indicates otherwise."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

By defining better the aversive nature of light, the findings suggest that the retina and hypothalamus play a critical role in migraine-type photophobia and that photophobia may not depend on hyperexcitable visual cortex, as traditionally thought.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

This view was contradicted in a 2007 paper by Chris Bennett, who showed that the pteroid did not articulate as previously thought and could not have pointed forward, but rather inward toward the body as traditionally thought.

Wikipedia

Researchers concluded the brains of senior citizens do not deteriorate over time due to aging, as traditionally thought to be the case, but they slow down because they hold more information.

Huffington Post

Considerable sampling of the deep waters around Antarctica in recent years has revealed this region to be much more diverse, and not as isolated as traditionally thought [ 40].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

It is important to note that precision and recall as traditionally thought of in information retrieval is different from this setting, because we are considering pairwise relationships instead of the genes themselves.

BMC Systems Biology

Birds from Lindi District, located on the coast in SE Tanzania are more closely related to the northern Tanzanian-Kenyan lowland populations, than to the central Mozambique and Zimbabwe populations, as traditionally thought.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Recent studies have shown that pure trigeminal stimulation activates somatosensory regions as well as regions traditionally thought of as primary olfactory areas.

Neuroscience

These opportunities are as likely to be in the social sector, the arts and the sciences as in what is traditionally thought of as the commercial sector.

Huffington Post

He died in 1616, almost certainly on April 22, not on the 23rd as had been traditionally thought.

Britannica

Friends and colleagues remark that she is quiet, reserved — not at all what is traditionally thought of as powerful.

The New York Times

Our results demonstrate that screening by RNAi in a sensitized background is a viable method for tackling redundancy and that it can even identify redundant, closely related genes, traditionally thought of as difficult to identify genetically.

Genetics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as traditionally thought" to introduce a contrast between a previously held belief and a new finding or understanding, adding depth to your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "as traditionally thought" when the 'traditional' view is still largely accurate or relevant; ensure there's a genuine shift in understanding to warrant its use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as traditionally thought" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a statement, indicating a contrast between a current understanding and a former one. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as traditionally thought" is a grammatically sound and useful construction for contrasting contemporary understandings with past beliefs. It's versatile, appearing frequently in scientific and news contexts to introduce revised perspectives. Ludwig's AI assessment aligns with this analysis, confirming its correct usage for indicating a shift from established norms. When employing this phrase, ensure a clear distinction between previous and current viewpoints to effectively convey the contrast.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as previously believed

Focuses on a change in belief over time.

as was once thought

Emphasizes a past viewpoint that is no longer current.

contrary to popular belief

Highlights a divergence from common understanding.

in contrast to what was believed

Directly opposes a former belief with a new perspective.

contrary to established wisdom

Highlights contradiction to well-established knowledge.

not as once perceived

Emphasizes a change in perception.

different from prior assumptions

Highlights a deviation from initial assumptions.

reversing conventional wisdom

Shows a departure from established traditional practices.

defying traditional expectations

Implies something is happening that does not align with established norms.

unlike what was historically known

Draws a contrast between historical knowledge and current understanding.

FAQs

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

Use "as traditionally thought" to introduce a viewpoint that was once common but is now outdated or challenged by new information. For example: "Diseases were treated with leeches, as traditionally thought, but modern medicine uses targeted drugs".

What phrases are similar to "as traditionally thought"?

You can use alternatives like "as previously believed", "contrary to popular belief", or "unlike what was historically known" to express a contrast with past understandings.

Is it always necessary to specify what the traditional thought was when using "as traditionally thought"?

While not always explicitly necessary, specifying the traditional thought adds clarity and context to your writing. It helps readers understand the shift in perspective you are highlighting.

What's the difference between "as traditionally thought" and "as traditionally believed"?

Both phrases are very similar, but "as traditionally thought" focuses more on a cognitive understanding or viewpoint, while "as traditionally believed" emphasizes a conviction or faith-based acceptance.