commonly believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commonly believed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing widely held opinions or beliefs that are generally accepted by a group or society. Example: "It is commonly believed that exercise contributes to better mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Alcohol is also commonly believed to reduce anxiety.

The New Yorker

And dredging is not as effective as is commonly believed.

The Economist

Yes, the midlife crisis is not as widespread as commonly believed.

The New York Times

(Destroying banknotes is not an offence, as commonly believed, though defacing them is).

The Guardian

(Although Ms. Escalanti is an American Indian, she is commonly believed to be white).

The New York Times

A college education, commonly believed to be a ticket out of poverty, is expensive.

The Guardian - Money

(It is commonly believed that Chomsky never sleeps, but this is not the case).

The New Yorker

Anonymity was in place because women were commonly believed to make false allegations against men.

The Guardian

In my view, there is more policy space – more room to act – than is commonly believed.

The Guardian - Business

"It's commonly believed that tourists love Times Square and New Yorkers hate it," Dykers continued.

The New Yorker

And Japan's workers have proved more adaptable, in hard times, than commonly believed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commonly believed" to introduce a statement that represents a widespread opinion, especially when you intend to challenge or provide a contrasting perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "commonly believed" as a filler phrase. Always ensure you provide context and clarify what the belief is and, ideally, who holds it. Simply stating something is "commonly believed" without further elaboration weakens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commonly believed" functions as an introductory phrase or qualifier, often used to set the stage for presenting a perspective that challenges or nuances a widely held idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "commonly believed" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to introduce widespread beliefs or assumptions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's correct and frequently employed across various domains, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While it is a very common phrase (59 examples), it's crucial to provide context and avoid overusing it as mere filler. Consider alternatives like "generally accepted" or "widely assumed" to add nuance. Remember, using "commonly believed" effectively involves introducing a point for consideration, not stating an absolute truth.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally accepted

Focuses on the widespread acceptance of an idea, rather than just the belief.

widely assumed

Highlights the assumption aspect, implying a lack of concrete proof.

popularly thought

Emphasizes the popularity of the idea, suggesting it's well-known.

universally acknowledged

Implies near-complete agreement on the concept.

ordinarily presumed

Highlights the routine nature of the presumption, suggesting it's commonplace.

customarily considered

Emphasizes the traditional or habitual nature of the consideration.

conventionally understood

Focuses on the conventional or standard interpretation of something.

traditionally held

Implies a long-standing belief passed down through generations.

virtually certain

Expresses a high degree of confidence, nearing certainty, in a belief.

publicly recognized

Focuses on the recognition of something by the public at large.

FAQs

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

You can use "commonly believed" to introduce an idea that is widely accepted, often before presenting a contrasting view. For example, "It is "commonly believed" that a college degree guarantees a good job, but this isn't always the case."

What are some alternatives to "commonly believed"?

Alternatives include "generally accepted", "widely assumed", or "popularly thought", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "commonly believe" instead of "commonly believed"?

No, "commonly believe" is grammatically incorrect. "Believed" functions as an adjective modifying what is being discussed. The correct phrasing is ""commonly believed"".

What's the difference between "commonly believed" and "widely known"?

"Commonly believed" refers to something people think is true, whether or not it's based on fact. "Widely known" suggests something is a recognized fact or piece of information.