commonly assumed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commonly assumed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to something that is widely accepted or thought to be true, although it may not actually be true. For example, "It is commonly assumed that the earth is round, however there are still some who believe it is flat."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is commonly assumed that, gastrointestinally, car travel is less perturbing than bus travel.

The New York Times - Travel

It is commonly assumed that Britain always loses in Afghanistan, but that's not true.

The Guardian - Opinion

The existence of such gas requires shocks with a cooling time longer than commonly assumed.

Nature

It is commonly assumed, therefore, that there can be no shortage of coal this century.

The Guardian

Why does being the first mover provide less of an advantage than is commonly assumed?

Harvard Business Review

In this book, Alistair Knott argues that this interface is more direct than commonly assumed.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But until now, it had been commonly assumed the AMOC's water sources would remain in place.

Yale University

It is commonly assumed that wealthy individuals buy influence through their campaign contributions, but that is rarely the case.

The New Yorker

Moreover, no-report does not necessarily imply absence of task relevant activity as it is commonly assumed.

Nature

Haraldsson, M. et al. Microbial parasites make cyanobacteria blooms less of a trophic dead end than commonly assumed.

Nature

Rocca, J. D. et al. Relationships between protein-encoding gene abundance and corresponding process are commonly assumed yet rarely observed.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commonly assumed" to introduce a statement that is widely believed but may not necessarily be true. This can add nuance and encourage critical thinking in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "commonly assumed" as a substitute for evidence or research. Always verify the validity of an assumption, even if it is widely held, to maintain credibility and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commonly assumed" functions as a qualifier or modifier, introducing a statement that represents a widespread belief or assumption. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates something widely accepted, though perhaps not actually true. It sets the stage for analysis or rebuttal, as seen in many of the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "commonly assumed" is grammatically correct and versatile, used to introduce ideas widely accepted but potentially unverified. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It's prevalent in science, news, and academic contexts, serving to introduce premises needing examination. While appropriate for formal writing, avoid using it as a substitute for evidence. Related phrases include "generally accepted" or "widely believed". Remember to verify assumptions and be aware of the potential for overreliance on them.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally accepted

Focuses on broad acceptance rather than a passive assumption.

widely believed

Emphasizes the belief aspect over a tacit assumption.

typically considered

Highlights the typicality of the consideration, implying a standard viewpoint.

usually presumed

Replaces "assumed" with "presumed", carrying a similar meaning with a slightly different nuance.

conventionally understood

Stresses the conventional nature of the understanding.

taken for granted

Indicates that something is accepted without question or analysis.

axiomatically accepted

Suggests acceptance based on an axiom or self-evident truth.

as a rule

This alternative emphasizes the rule or general nature of the assumption.

in general terms

This alternative points to the general or broad nature of the assumption or understanding.

by and large

This alternative emphasizes the broadness of the acceptance or assumption across the population.

FAQs

How can I use "commonly assumed" in a sentence?

Use "commonly assumed" to introduce an idea that many people believe to be true, but which may not be supported by evidence. For instance, "It is "commonly assumed" that exercise is enough to lose weight, however, diet plays a major role too."

What phrases can I use instead of "commonly assumed"?

Alternatives to "commonly assumed" include "generally accepted", "widely believed", or "typically considered" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it OK to use "commonly assumed" in formal writing?

Yes, "commonly assumed" is appropriate for formal writing. It's often used in academic papers and reports to introduce a premise that will then be analyzed or challenged.

What's the difference between "commonly assumed" and "well-known"?

"Commonly assumed" suggests a belief that may or may not be accurate, while "well-known" typically refers to something that is established as a fact. You might say, "It's "commonly assumed" that all swans are white," but "It's "well-known" that the sun rises in the east."