conventional idea

USAGE SUMMARY

'conventional idea' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a widely accepted and widely held belief. For example: "The conventional idea is that people need eight hours of sleep each night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

"The subsistence level is only a conventional idea, and conventions change," Sir Arthur pointed out.

The Economist

He simply did not fit its conventional idea of art.

The Guardian - Arts

Prismatic, polymorphous, scintillating and starkly angular, they defy the conventional idea of a boxy or stepped New York skyscraper.

The New York Times

The conventional idea is that companies are fine as long as they earn some "normal profits" that satisfy their owners.

The New York Times

Wade is working in what by now is a pretty venerable tradition, against the conventional idea of painting".

The New York Times - Arts

That experience led David to question the conventional idea of a simple split between hunter-gatherers and farmers, and to challenge it in a series of publications.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

We're talking about his book, Every Song Ever: Twenty Ways to Listen to Music Now, which suggests we should do away with conventional ideas of genres and become more flexible as listeners.

Vice

But they don't just explode conventional ideas about mime.

The New York Times

Little boys are very conventional, and I had very conventional ideas.

The New York Times

"I'm doing something next which will really challenge conventional ideas.

The Guardian - Film

But if you use conventional ideas about valuation, today's stock prices look very high.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conventional idea" when you want to refer to a belief or understanding that is widely accepted but may not necessarily be accurate or universally true.

Common error

Avoid using "conventional idea" as if it's an undisputed fact. Always consider that even widely held beliefs can be challenged or proven incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conventional idea" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a widely accepted belief or notion. Ludwig provides examples of its usage in various contexts, showcasing its role in expressing common, but potentially challengeable, understandings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

29%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "conventional idea" is a frequently used noun phrase that denotes a widely accepted belief or notion. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While it indicates widespread acceptance, it doesn't guarantee accuracy, making it essential to critically evaluate the validity of any "conventional idea". Remember that alternatives like "accepted belief" or "prevailing wisdom" can offer subtle differences in meaning. While quite common, be mindful that just because an idea is conventional, that does not mean that it is correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accepted belief

Focuses on the acceptance aspect rather than the traditional nature.

established norm

Highlights the normative aspect and its widespread acceptance.

prevailing wisdom

Emphasizes the widespread acceptance and perceived correctness of the idea.

common understanding

Stresses the shared nature of the comprehension.

traditional viewpoint

Highlights the historical and long-standing nature of the perspective.

orthodox thinking

Implies a more rigid and established form of the idea.

received wisdom

Indicates that the idea has been passed down and accepted without question.

mainstream thought

Focuses on the widespread adoption and acceptance within a larger population.

customary notion

Emphasizes the habitual and ingrained nature of the idea.

popular perception

Focuses on how the idea is commonly viewed by the public.

FAQs

How can I use "conventional idea" in a sentence?

You can use "conventional idea" to refer to a generally accepted belief or notion, as in, "The "conventional idea" is that success requires a college degree, but many entrepreneurs prove otherwise".

What's a good alternative to "conventional idea"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "accepted belief", "prevailing wisdom", or "common understanding".

Is it always accurate to describe something as a "conventional idea"?

Not necessarily. Describing something as a "conventional idea" implies that it's widely held, but not always accurate or universally accepted. It's important to consider alternative perspectives.

What's the difference between "conventional idea" and "traditional belief"?

"Traditional belief" often refers to ideas passed down through generations, while "conventional idea" can refer to any widely accepted notion, regardless of its origin. A traditional belief is a subset of "conventional idea", referring explicitly to practices passed on through generations.