common knowledge that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "common knowledge that" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to information that is widely accepted or known by a large group of people. An example is: "It is common knowledge that exercise is beneficial for health." Alternative expressions include "widely known that" and "generally accepted that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, like much common knowledge, that turns out to be less than half the truth.

The Times

It's common knowledge that the Tories don't want electoral reform.

The Guardian

It's common knowledge that newspapers are closing down.

The Guardian

It's common knowledge that mentoring helps students with their studies.

University of California, Berkeley

It is common knowledge that these companies burn cash and need more.

The New York Times

In the world of design, it's common knowledge that Anthony Baratta fears no color.

The New York Times - Magazine

She described how it was common knowledge that Savile would make "advances".

The Guardian

It was, Pell, said, common knowledge that the swimming incident had occurred.

The Guardian

In the ensuing days, it became common knowledge that the killer was Wild Bill.

The New York Times

It's common knowledge that washing your hair every day can actually make it greasier.

The Guardian

"Back then, it was common knowledge that everyone was getting high," said Ms. Forbes, a photographer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place this phrase at the beginning of a paragraph to establish a baseline of agreement with your reader before introducing more complex or controversial ideas.

Common error

Do not use this phrase to present a specific, data-driven claim or a controversial opinion as if it were an indisputable fact. If the information is niche or recently discovered, calling it "common knowledge that" can frustrate informed readers and damage your academic integrity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "common knowledge that" consists of an adjectival modifier (common) and a noun (knowledge) followed by a subordinating conjunction (that). It typically functions as a subjective complement in sentences like 'It is "common knowledge that"...', where 'it' is an expletive subject. According to Ludwig AI, this structure is standard and follows all modern grammatical conventions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "common knowledge that" is an essential tool for any writer looking to establish a shared ground with their audience. With over 60 high-quality examples provided by Ludwig, its presence in elite publications like The New York Times and The Guardian is undeniable. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used to introduce facts that are accepted without question. Whether used in a legal context to describe local awareness or in a scientific paper to mention a basic principle, it remains one of the most reliable ways to frame information as part of the collective human understanding. Writers should use it confidently, provided they ensure the 'knowledge' they are referencing truly is common to their specific readership.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widely known that

Focuses on the breadth of the information dissemination rather than its status as 'knowledge'.

generally accepted that

Emphasizes consensus and agreement over simple awareness.

common wisdom that

Often implies a traditional or folk-belief aspect, sometimes suggesting the knowledge might be simplified.

well-established that

Used frequently in scientific and academic contexts to denote proven facts.

public knowledge that

Suggests information that is officially available or no longer confidential.

it is no secret that

Adds a slight rhetorical flourish, often used when something previously hidden is now obvious.

commonplace that

Refers to something so frequent or ordinary that it is universally recognized.

uncontroversial that

Specifically highlights the lack of dispute regarding the information.

universal knowledge that

A more hyperbolic version implying absolutely everyone is aware.

frequently cited that

Focuses on the repetition of the fact in discourse or literature.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "common knowledge that" in an essay?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. In academic writing, you can use it for facts that are so well known they don't need a citation. If you want to sound more formal, you might use "well-established that" or "generally accepted that".

What is the difference between "common knowledge" and "common sense"?

Common knowledge refers to specific information that people know, while "common sense" refers to practical judgment and the ability to act reasonably. You use the former for facts and the latter for behaviors or decisions.

Can I use "public knowledge that" instead?

Yes, "public knowledge that" is a great alternative, especially when referring to information that was once private or is part of a public record or scandal.

Does "common knowledge that" require a comma?

Usually, no comma is needed before the word 'that'. For example: 'It is common knowledge that the sun rises in the east.' Adding a comma would break the connection between the predicate and the content clause.