commonly known that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commonly known that" is not correct in English.
The correct form would be "commonly known to" or "commonly known as." Example: "It is commonly known that exercise is beneficial for health."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was not commonly known that you could control risks".

The New York Times

It is commonly known that a child's genes are inherited directly from the mother and father.

The Guardian

"It is commonly known that there is an overrepresentation of Aboriginal Territorians in the justice system.

The Guardian

Many neighbors said it was commonly known that Ulysses suffered from autism; city officials said he had a severe form.

The New York Times

SIR - It is commonly known that China is famous for its black, white and red pandas ("Black and White and Red all Over", December 22).

The Economist

He still peruses bodybuilding magazines and recalls the 70's, when he was competing, as a much less P.C. time: "It was commonly known that bodybuilders that were black, African-Americans today we call it, had problems with their calves.

The New York Times

The only problem with the toy Creosote is that the vomit it expels is green and viscous, whereas it is commonly known that in the movie Creosote's vomit is peach-coloured and has the consistency of watery paste.

The Guardian

In a brief statement the industry minister, Jim Prentice, said that he had informed Alliant, or A.T.K. as it is commonly known, that he was not satisfied that the deal would "be of net benefit to Canada".

The New York Times

In market research, it's commonly known that what people do is very different from what they say they will do.

TechCrunch

It is commonly known that organics in leachate are characterized by different biodegradability.

Applied Water Science

It is commonly known that TBT is prone to quick hydrolysis.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using phrases like "commonly known that," ensure the information is indeed widely accepted and verifiable to avoid spreading misinformation.

Common error

Avoid beginning too many sentences with "it is commonly known that." Vary your sentence structure by directly stating the fact or using active voice constructions for a more engaging and dynamic writing style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commonly known that" functions as a discourse marker used to introduce information assumed to be widely understood or accepted. Ludwig's analysis suggests the phrase, while frequent, isn't always grammatically precise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "commonly known that" is used to introduce facts assumed to be widely accepted. Ludwig's analysis points out that this phrase, although very frequent in various contexts such as Science and News & Media, is often considered grammatically incorrect. The correct forms are "it is commonly known that" or "widely known that." While the phrase intends to establish common ground with the reader, its incorrect usage can undermine the writer's credibility. Therefore, it is recommended to use grammatically sound alternatives to convey the same meaning effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widely known that

Replaces 'commonly' with 'widely', indicating broad awareness.

generally accepted that

Indicates a broad agreement or consensus.

it is common knowledge that

Slightly more formal way of expressing a well-known fact.

it's a well-known fact that

Highlights the statement as an established truth.

everyone knows that

Emphasizes universal awareness of the fact.

it is understood that

Focuses on the implied or assumed understanding of something.

it is recognized that

Highlights the acknowledgement of a particular fact or condition.

as everyone knows

Directly addresses the audience assuming their awareness.

it is a given that

Presents the statement as a foundational assumption.

it's no secret that

Suggests the information, while commonly known, might be sensitive.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct alternative to "commonly known that"?

You can use phrases like "it is commonly known that" or, more concisely, "widely known that".

Is "commonly known that" considered formal or informal?

While the phrase is frequently used, it often appears in a more neutral or informal context. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "it is generally accepted that" for a more authoritative tone.

How can I verify if something is "commonly known" before using the phrase?

Before stating something is "commonly known that", check reputable sources, research its history, and consider whether the information is truly widespread and not just assumed.

What are some ways to rephrase a sentence starting with "commonly known that" for better impact?

Instead of "Commonly known that X is Y," try "X is widely recognized as Y," or "It is a well-established fact that X is Y". This approach can make your writing more direct and engaging.