commonly understood that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commonly understood that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a general consensus or widely accepted belief about a particular topic or idea. Example: "It is commonly understood that regular exercise contributes to better physical and mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

In the "American Idol" lexicon, it's probably better to be "nice" than "pitchy" -- the judges' diplomatic term for off key -- but it's commonly understood that nice is not nearly enough.

The New York Times

It is commonly understood that "$1 spent on risk reduction saves between $5 and $10 in economic losses from disasters".

Materials Today: Proceedings

Although it is commonly understood that such impacts are contingent on type, shape size and spatial arrangement of landscape elements.

Forest Ecology and Management

It is commonly understood that the cumulative impact of increased habitat destruction on biological systems does not scale linearly.

Journal for Nature Conservation

"I've been teaching in this field for 30 years, and even back then it was commonly understood that quotas were a bad idea," Professor Walker said.

The New York Times

Although the official cause of his death was respiratory complications, it was commonly understood that he died of a broken heart.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

"What's less commonly understood is that beyond poor mental health, it can also be associated with the development of other illnesses such as diabetes, obesity and cholesterol issues, because cortisol is also central to glucose availability, blood pressure and immune function, so identifying these children is important".

The Guardian

What is less commonly understood is that social media is also playing a critical role transforming institutions in western democracies.

Huffington Post

Last night Mr Cook said he did not believe that Saddam Hussein had "weapons of mass destruction in the commonly understood sense of that term, namely a credible device cap-able of being delivered against strategic city targets".

Independent

Iraq probably has no weapons of mass destruction in the commonly understood sense of that term - namely, a credible device capable of being delivered against strategic city targets.

The Guardian

5 Natural is commonly understood as anything that is non-synthetic.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commonly understood that" to introduce a shared understanding or assumption, setting a foundation for further discussion or analysis. This can streamline communication by avoiding the need to explicitly define a concept already familiar to your audience.

Common error

Avoid beginning every sentence with "commonly understood that". Over-reliance on this phrase can make your writing sound repetitive and less engaging. Instead, vary your sentence structure and use synonyms to introduce widely accepted ideas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commonly understood that" functions as a discourse marker, signaling a premise or background knowledge assumed to be shared between the writer and the reader. Ludwig AI confirms this as a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "commonly understood that" serves as a valuable tool in writing to introduce shared knowledge or assumptions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and broadly applicable. Its prevalence in news, scientific, and academic contexts highlights its utility in establishing a foundation of understanding. While effective, overuse can lead to redundancy; varying phrasing with alternatives like "generally accepted that" or "widely known that" can enhance writing style. Remember to ensure the information presented as "commonly understood" is indeed widely known to the intended audience, avoiding potential confusion or miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally accepted that

Emphasizes widespread agreement or endorsement.

widely known that

Highlights the breadth of awareness regarding a piece of information.

universally acknowledged that

Suggests near-complete agreement or recognition.

it is a truism that

Indicates something is self-evidently true or obvious.

it's a given that

Implies something is presupposed or taken for granted.

it is common knowledge that

Highlights information that is readily available and known by many.

it is an established fact that

Emphasizes that something has been proven or confirmed.

it is well-established that

Indicates something has been known for a long time and is generally accepted.

it's undisputed that

Suggests the absence of any disagreement or challenge.

it goes without saying that

Implies something is so obvious it does not need to be stated.

FAQs

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

Use "commonly understood that" to introduce information generally known or accepted. For instance, "It's "commonly understood that" regular exercise benefits your health."

What can I say instead of "commonly understood that"?

Alternatives include "generally accepted that", "widely known that", or "universally acknowledged that", each offering subtle differences in emphasis.

Is it redundant to use "commonly understood that"?

While not inherently redundant, overuse can make your writing repetitive. Ensure the concept truly is widely known to avoid stating the obvious. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "it is a truism that".

When is it appropriate to use "commonly understood that"?

Use "commonly understood that" when referring to a concept or idea that is generally accepted as true or accurate. Be mindful of your audience's knowledge; if there's a chance they may not be familiar with the concept, provide some context or explanation.