common understanding that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "common understanding that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a widely accepted belief or agreement among a group of people regarding a particular topic or issue. Example: "It is a common understanding that teamwork is essential for the success of any project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"What are you doing?" might prompt the answer "Standing outside" from a computer, whereas a human would respond "Fire alarm" – recognising the common understanding that exists between the speakers.

The Guardian - Tech

There was a common understanding that a university was a public institution dedicated to teaching, research and the free exchange of ideas.

The Guardian - Opinion

"There is a common understanding that there needs to be greater collaboration and better integration between the various parties in the design and construction process," she says.

The Guardian

Like the black British community from which it had sprung, there was a common understanding that it was here to stay.

The Guardian

The memo states that the Five-Eyes agreement "has evolved to include a common understanding that both governments will not target each other's citizens/persons".

The Guardian

"[The 1946 UKUSA] agreement has evolved to include a common understanding that both governments will not target each other's citizens/persons.

The Guardian

summit in February, Kiev and Brussels are building upon a common understanding that Ukraine needs to demonstrate determined action and tangible progress on a number of key issues.

The New York Times

"We have a common understanding that constitutionalism is a central issue for China's reform," said Zhang Qianfan, the law professor who drafted the petition.

The New York Times

"There's a common understanding that there's a dip in wellbeing in middle age, and that's been found in many datasets across human cultures," Alex Weiss, a psychologist at Edinburgh University, told the Guardian.

The Guardian

As stated on its webpage, "League members are united by the common understanding that there is more to life than the ability to kick a pigskin between two white posts".

The Guardian - Sport

"There's a common understanding that we need to help Merkel get something that looks like a victory," said a senior European Union official, who, like other officials interviewed, was not authorized to comment by name.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "common understanding that" to introduce a belief or assumption that is widely accepted within a specific context or group. This adds authority and shared perspective to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "common understanding that" when the belief is not truly widespread or is specific to a niche group. Ensure the understanding is genuinely common to your target audience to avoid alienating readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "common understanding that" functions as a discourse marker introducing a presupposition or shared belief. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples that demonstrate its use in setting the stage for further discussion or argumentation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "common understanding that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for introducing shared beliefs or assumptions. Ludwig AI analysis shows its prevalence across news, science, and formal business contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that the understanding is genuinely common to avoid miscommunication. Alternatives like "general agreement that" or "widely accepted view that" may be suitable depending on the specific context. This phrase is a valuable tool for establishing common ground with your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Shared belief that

Replaces "understanding" with "belief", emphasizing the cognitive aspect of the shared concept.

General consensus that

Substitutes "common understanding" with "general consensus", highlighting the agreement among people.

General agreement that

Focuses on the agreement aspect, replacing "understanding" with "agreement" and "common" with "general".

Widely accepted view that

Replaces "understanding" with "view" and "common" with "widely accepted", focusing on the broad acceptance of an opinion.

Prevailing wisdom that

Uses "prevailing wisdom" instead of "common understanding", suggesting a widely held, often unquestioned, belief.

Established notion that

Emphasizes the established or fixed nature of the idea, replacing "understanding" with "notion".

Collective awareness that

Replaces "common understanding" with "collective awareness", emphasizing shared knowledge.

Shared conviction that

Replaces understanding with conviction, suggesting a stronger, more deeply held belief.

Public perception that

Highlights how the public views something, changing "understanding" to "perception".

Conventional wisdom that

Similar to "prevailing wisdom", this emphasizes an accepted, traditional belief.

FAQs

How can I use "common understanding that" in a sentence?

The phrase "common understanding that" is used to introduce a concept or belief that is generally accepted or agreed upon within a group or society. For example, "There is a "common understanding that" education is crucial for personal development".

What are some alternatives to "common understanding that"?

You can use alternatives like "general agreement that", "widely accepted view that", or "prevailing wisdom that" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "common understanding that"?

While "common understanding that" is grammatically correct, it's important to ensure the understanding is genuinely widespread. Avoid using it for niche beliefs or assumptions specific to small groups.

What's the difference between "common understanding that" and "common knowledge that"?

"Common knowledge that" refers to facts that are widely known, while ""common understanding that"" refers to shared interpretations or beliefs, which may not be factual but generally accepted.