commonly understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commonly understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the shared understanding of something among many people. For example, "The definition of democracy is commonly understood to be a form of government based on the will of the people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The family is not downsizing as commonly understood.

The Guardian

That's not a restaurant as it's commonly understood; it's Brigadoon".

The New Yorker

Prana, however, the cosmic energy that is most commonly understood as breath, is universal.

The New York Times

The filibuster is an affront to commonly understood democratic norms, but then so is the Senate.

The New Yorker

"It's not commonly understood by people who drive," Dr. Dougherty said.

The New York Times - Tech

The commonly understood reason that baseball players use steroids is to increase their strength.

The New York Times - Books

His research there questioned whether the commonly understood underpinnings of Western law were too narrow.

The New York Times

Since then, the phrase "penguin media" has been commonly understood in my country.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is not commonly understood to cover buildings or storage facilities".

The New York Times

They worry that the supply of homes overshot demand by far more than is commonly understood.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

'commonly understood as the expression of freedom' in post-apartheid South Africa.

University of Chicago

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that what you present as "commonly understood" truly reflects a widely held belief or understanding to avoid alienating or confusing your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "commonly understood" when introducing a niche concept specific to a particular field or demographic. Overuse can alienate readers who lack the assumed prior knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commonly understood" functions as an adjective modifying a noun, indicating that the noun is something that is generally known or accepted. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "commonly understood" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a shared understanding or knowledge among a group of people. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears most often in news and media, but also in science, formal business, academic, and wiki contexts. When using this expression, make sure your audience indeed shares this common knowledge, or else you might risk confusing or alienating your readers. Consider alternatives such as "widely accepted", "generally known" or "universally recognized" for subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

understood by most

Highlights that the understanding is shared by the majority.

commonly known and accepted

This alternative phrase combines the ideas of common knowledge and acceptance.

widely accepted

Focuses on broad agreement rather than comprehension.

generally known

Highlights the state of being known by many.

universally recognized

Emphasizes that something is acknowledged everywhere.

publicly acknowledged

Stresses that something is openly admitted or recognized.

well-established

Indicates that something is firmly accepted and recognized.

ordinarily conceived

Highlights the common or typical way something is imagined.

conventionally perceived

Focuses on perception based on accepted customs.

popularly believed

Emphasizes widespread belief, even if not factual.

FAQs

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

You can use "commonly understood" to refer to knowledge or concepts that are generally accepted or known. For example, "It's "commonly understood" that regular exercise is beneficial for health."

What are some alternatives to "commonly understood"?

Alternatives include "widely accepted", "generally known", or "universally recognized", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always safe to assume something is "commonly understood"?

No, it's crucial to consider your audience. What is "commonly understood" in one group may be unfamiliar to another. Always provide context if there's any doubt.

What's the difference between "commonly understood" and "commonly known"?

"Commonly understood" implies a shared comprehension of a concept, while "commonly known" simply means the information is widespread. You might use "commonly known" when referring to a fact, and "commonly understood" when referring to an interpretation or principle.