commonly held conception

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commonly held conception" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a widely accepted idea or belief within a particular context or society. Example: "The commonly held conception is that hard work leads to success, but many factors can influence outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is a commonly held conception that adherence to an exercise regime improves all indexes of general health.

Sports Medicine - Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The activity was designed to provoke conflict between students' commonly held initial conceptions and the actual behavior of the circuits they constructed.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Here we use the more inclusive term conceptual difficulty to describe any conception that differs from a conception commonly held by the scientific community (Hammer, 1996a, b), including misconceptions, misunderstandings, and alternative conceptions (Wandersee and Reuter, 2006).

CBE Life Sciences Education

It is a commonly held view.

The Guardian - Sport

'I think that's a very commonly held view.

The Guardian

That was not a commonly held opinion at the time.

The New York Times - Arts

In Australia, it is a view commonly held.

The Guardian - Sport

But Navarro takes these commonly held views into radical terrain.

The New Yorker

"I think that's a commonly held view.

The New York Times - Books

–Does this information conflict with commonly held beliefs about the tribe?

The New York Times

Not so, reckons Alasdair, who is looking to blast a hole in this commonly held theory.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commonly held conception" when you want to emphasize that an idea is not just common, but also a foundational belief shaping understanding within a field or group. Be mindful of the subtle difference from "belief", which might be more personal.

Common error

Avoid using "commonly held conception" in casual contexts where simpler phrases like "common belief" or "popular idea" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commonly held conception" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig's examples show it referring to a widespread belief or understanding that shapes how something is perceived. In this context, according to Ludwig AI, it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commonly held conception" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a widely accepted idea or belief. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While versatile, it's most appropriate in neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news, science, and business, where establishing a shared understanding is crucial. When aiming for simplicity in informal writing, consider alternatives like "common belief" or "popular idea". This phrase is a useful tool for initiating discussions, offering a foundation upon which to build or challenge established viewpoints.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widely accepted belief

Replaces 'conception' with 'belief', focusing on the acceptance of an idea.

generally accepted notion

Substitutes 'conception' with 'notion', emphasizing a general understanding.

prevailing idea

Uses 'prevailing' to highlight the dominance of the idea.

common understanding

Focuses on the shared understanding rather than the initial thought.

popular belief

Emphasizes the popularity of the belief.

conventional wisdom

Highlights the traditional or established nature of the idea.

established view

Focuses on the firm establishment of the perspective.

accepted wisdom

Emphasizes the acceptance of the idea as knowledge.

mainstream thought

Highlights that the thought is part of the mainstream.

public opinion

Highlights the opinion of the public.

FAQs

What's a simpler way to say "commonly held conception"?

You can use phrases like "common belief", "popular idea", or "generally accepted notion" depending on the context.

Is "commonly held conception" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "commonly held conception" is suitable for academic writing when discussing foundational beliefs or assumptions within a field. Ensure it accurately reflects the existing understanding you're referencing.

How does "commonly held conception" differ from "conventional wisdom"?

"Commonly held conception" refers to a general understanding or belief, while "conventional wisdom" implies a traditional or established belief that may or may not be critically examined.

When should I use "commonly held conception" instead of "misconception"?

Use "commonly held conception" when referring to a general belief, regardless of its accuracy. Use "misconception" when referring to a belief that is known to be false or inaccurate.