commonly held belief

USAGE SUMMARY

'commonly held belief' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to an idea or opinion that is widely shared or accepted by the majority of people. For example, "It is a commonly held belief that hard work is the key to success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Studies have investigated the commonly held belief that it is linked to poor hygiene.

Independent

Such cases challenged the commonly held belief that the law applied only to violent criminals.

The New York Times

He mentioned a commonly held belief that black boxers "couldn't take punishment," that they were physically weaker.

The New York Times

Cuban denies the commonly held belief that Dallas initially thought of Van Exel as merely a throw-in.

The New York Times - Sports

I started my PhD under the cloud of that commonly held belief that motherhood and academia were mutually exclusive.

The Guardian

The arts of dying well and ceremoniously, the artes moriendi, were cultivated when there was a commonly held belief in the afterlife.

The New Yorker

His revelations directly challenged the commonly held belief that media, phone and technology corporations must always give into state interests to target and harass the public.

The Guardian

But in Harlem today, it is a commonly held belief that Columbia still owns some parkland and will move in someday, said Bill Ryall, an architect and volunteer.

The New York Times

It is a commonly held belief, reinforced by his on-court demeanor, which suggests a man digging himself out of a Scandinavian winter.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

A commonly-held belief is that injection of impurities along with CO2 retards the evolution of convective dissolution, thereby, negatively impacting solubility trapping of CO2.

International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control

For the most part, participants agreed citing the history they were taught in school and the commonly-held belief that Edison really did create the light bulb.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commonly held belief" to introduce a concept that you plan to challenge or analyze critically. This sets the stage for a nuanced discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "commonly held belief" when the belief is actually controversial or disputed. Ensure that the belief is genuinely widespread before characterizing it as such.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commonly held belief" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces a concept or idea widely accepted by a group of people. Ludwig confirms its correct and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

57%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commonly held belief" is a noun phrase used to denote a widely accepted idea or assumption within a community. Ludwig AI affirms its correct and frequent usage across diverse fields, particularly in news, media and science. When using this phrase, ensure the belief is genuinely widespread and supported by evidence. Consider using synonyms like "prevailing wisdom" or "general consensus" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Prevailing wisdom

This alternative suggests a widely accepted idea, especially one that has been around for a while.

General consensus

This phrase emphasizes agreement among a group of people.

Popular opinion

This highlights the view held by the majority of people.

Established view

This suggests a long-standing and widely accepted perspective.

Accepted wisdom

Similar to prevailing wisdom, but with a slightly more formal tone.

Conventional thinking

This refers to traditional and widely accepted ideas.

Shared understanding

Highlights a common knowledge or interpretation among people.

Public sentiment

Focuses on the feelings and attitudes held by the public.

Dominant narrative

This refers to the most influential story or explanation.

Collective understanding

Emphasizes that the belief is shared by a group.

FAQs

How can I use "commonly held belief" in a sentence?

You can use "commonly held belief" to introduce an idea or opinion widely accepted, as in, "It is a "commonly held belief" that exercise is beneficial for health."

What's a good substitute for "commonly held belief"?

Alternatives include "prevailing wisdom", "general consensus", or "popular opinion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always accurate to describe something as a "commonly held belief"?

No, it's important to verify that the belief is actually widespread and not just an assumption or stereotype. Ensure there's evidence to support the claim that it's a "commonly held belief".

What's the difference between "commonly held belief" and "popular opinion"?

"Commonly held belief" suggests a more deeply ingrained or established idea, while "popular opinion" might refer to a more current or transient viewpoint.