common truths

USAGE SUMMARY

"common truths" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to ideas or facts that are widely accepted as true or fundamental. For example, "One of the most common truths is that honesty is the best policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As opposed to the view of philosophy described in paragraph 2, Thomas understands philosophizing to depend upon antecedent knowledge, to proceed from it, and to be unintelligible unless, in its sophisticated modes, it can be traced back to the common truths known to all.

SEP

As a spiritual seeker, I've studied a number of the world's philosophies, with the purpose of finding common truths and points of divergence.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There will never be a common truth".

The Guardian

"We need one common truth to be known to everyone," he said.

The New York Times

I ask all members of this body to join me in recognizing this common truth.

The New York Times

"It's a common truth that young people are pretty hardworking," said Ivanov, when I mentioned this.

The New Yorker

Of all the trips I had taken in pursuit of the past, this was one in which a common truth was unlikely to emerge.

The New York Times - Magazine

For all the differences between Vietnam and America, here's a common truth: The best way to sustain a nation's competitiveness is to build human capital.

The New York Times

There and then I could have repeated the words of Sophocles's Messenger as he reports the incident which for all its mysteriousness has the ring of a common truth:  "He was gone from sight:  That much I could see..

The Guardian - Books

The right place for Mr Philpott is behind bars, but do you exploit the deaths of six children to try and make a political point about the welfare system, and at the same time say to people that this is somehow a common truth about people on benefits?" There was, Miliband said, "a minority of people on benefits who should be working and aren't", something he promised Labour would address.

The Guardian

Sometimes, clichés are clichés because they speak a common truth.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "common truths" when you want to emphasize that certain ideas or beliefs are widely accepted and form a foundation for further discussion or understanding. For example, in philosophical or ethical discussions, grounding your arguments in "common truths" can make them more relatable and persuasive.

Common error

Avoid using "common truths" to present opinions or beliefs as universally accepted facts without providing sufficient evidence or context. Ensure that what you present as a "common truth" is indeed widely recognized and not merely a personal viewpoint.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "common truths" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It refers to ideas or principles widely accepted as factual or fundamental. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples from academic and news sources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "common truths" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that refers to widely accepted ideas or facts. While relatively rare in usage, as confirmed by Ludwig, it appears in both academic and news contexts. It is best used to establish a shared understanding or foundation for further discussion. Alternatives include "shared understandings" or "fundamental principles". When using "common truths", avoid presenting opinions as universally accepted facts. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as correct and usable in written English, further supporting its validity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared understandings

Focuses on the agreement and consensus among people regarding certain concepts.

accepted wisdom

Highlights the aspect of knowledge that is widely believed and trusted.

fundamental principles

Emphasizes the basic and essential nature of the truths.

universal axioms

Stresses the self-evident and universally accepted nature of the truths.

basic tenets

Refers to the core beliefs or doctrines that are commonly held.

general consensus

Highlights the agreement among a group of people.

prevailing beliefs

Emphasizes the truths that are currently dominant or widespread.

established facts

Focuses on the truths that have been verified and confirmed.

collective knowledge

Highlights the aspect of knowledge that is shared by a community or society.

mutually understood concepts

Focuses on the shared comprehension of ideas between individuals.

FAQs

How can I use "common truths" in a sentence?

You can use "common truths" to refer to fundamental beliefs or facts widely accepted. For example, "The argument rests on several "common truths" about human behavior".

What's a good alternative to "common truths"?

Alternatives include "shared understandings", "accepted wisdom", or "fundamental principles", depending on the specific context.

Is "common truths" grammatically correct?

Yes, "common truths" is grammatically correct. It's a noun phrase where "common" modifies the noun "truths".

What's the difference between "common truths" and "universal truths"?

"Common truths" refer to beliefs widely accepted within a specific group or context, while "universal truths" are considered valid and applicable to all people in all situations.