collective wisdom

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "collective wisdom" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase typically refers to the collective knowledge, experience and insights from a group of people. It can be used to describe the opinion or expertise of a group on a particular topic. For example: "The team met to discuss the problem and reached a consensus through collective wisdom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Collective wisdom made a difference.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Yankees have some collective wisdom.

The New York Times - Sports

We called it collaborative filtering or collective wisdom.

The Guardian - Tech

So much for all that collective wisdom (or not).

The Guardian - Business

Encouraging refutation sharpens everyone's thinking and builds collective wisdom.

Harvard Business Review

We propose WisColl by tapping into this collective wisdom when clustering blog sites.

Information Sciences

In the process a new kind of collective wisdom is generated.

Information Sciences

Hospital care should be based on collective wisdom to reach the best treatment plan.

The New York Times

Moreover, the solution to these new problems cannot be found in the collective wisdom of society.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Its collective wisdom arises out of the cumulative effect of millions of independent decisions.

The New Yorker

Major decisions, he wrote, "should be decided according to collective wisdom and strict procedure".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing group decision-making or problem-solving, use "collective wisdom" to emphasize the value of diverse perspectives and shared knowledge.

Common error

Avoid assuming positive outcomes are solely due to "collective wisdom". Acknowledge other contributing factors such as leadership, resources, and external circumstances for a balanced and accurate portrayal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collective wisdom" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a shared pool of knowledge and insight derived from a group. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, indicating its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "collective wisdom" is a versatile and widely used term that emphasizes the importance of shared knowledge and insights. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts. This analysis reveals that "collective wisdom" functions as a noun phrase, often highlighting the benefits of collaboration in decision-making and problem-solving. While commonly found in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business, its usage extends to academia and other domains. By understanding its nuances and related terms like "group intelligence" or "wisdom of the crowd", writers can effectively leverage the power of "collective wisdom" in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wisdom of the crowd

Highlights the emergent wisdom from a large, diverse group, often in prediction or estimation contexts.

group intelligence

Emphasizes the cognitive ability of a group, rather than accumulated knowledge.

aggregate knowledge

Focuses on the accumulation of individual knowledge pieces into a larger body.

combined expertise

Highlights the sum of specialized skills and knowledge from multiple individuals.

shared understanding

Focuses on the commonality of knowledge among individuals, rather than the aggregation.

collaborative knowledge

Emphasizes the cooperative process of knowledge creation and sharing.

pooled knowledge

Focuses on the act of combining individual knowledge for a shared purpose.

team insight

Highlights the insight derived from team collaboration and diverse perspectives.

communal insight

Highlights a shared understanding and perceptive capacity within a community.

accumulated experience

Emphasizes the gathering of knowledge through lived experiences over time.

FAQs

How can "collective wisdom" be used effectively in decision-making?

To leverage "collective wisdom", encourage diverse participation, create an open environment for sharing ideas, and use structured methods to synthesize information and reach consensus.

What is the difference between "collective wisdom" and groupthink?

"Collective wisdom" values diverse perspectives and critical thinking, while groupthink suppresses dissent and prioritizes conformity, leading to potentially flawed decisions.

What are some synonyms for "collective wisdom"?

Alternatives include "shared understanding", "wisdom of the crowd", or "group intelligence", depending on the specific context.

How does "collective wisdom" contribute to organizational success?

"Collective wisdom" enhances innovation, problem-solving, and adaptability by harnessing the diverse knowledge and experience of employees, fostering a more resilient and effective organization.