conventionally understood as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conventionally understood as" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing how something is typically interpreted or perceived within a certain context or framework. Example: "The term 'freedom' is conventionally understood as the absence of constraints or limitations on an individual's actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

At other locations, not far away, Chinese ships have intercepted vessels from the Philippines – sometimes by deliberately ramming them – to stop them from resupplying troops who guard disputed coral reefs that lie several times closer to Filipino shores than to anything conventionally understood as Chinese territory.

The Guardian

On the contrary, [a] search engine is conventionally understood as an information location tool which automatically indexes tens of thousands of publicly available websites, fetches information with unrestricted access and is freely accessible to any Internet user.

TechCrunch

Science is conventionally understood as objective in the sense that scientific work and the results of that work are free of contextual/non-epistemic values, i.e., moral, social, or political values.

SEP

God might not be female, exactly, but God's nature can and does find expression through characteristics conventionally understood as female.

Huffington Post

The tumor metastasis process is conventionally understood as the migration of individual cells that detach from the primary tumor, enter lymphatic vessels or the bloodstream, attach to endothelial cells and undergo transendothelial extravasation, and proliferate in organs [ 2].

BMC Cancer

While a SWAp is conventionally understood as a donor coordination mechanism in which partners, under the leadership of the MoH, align and harmonize all resources and efforts through the collaborative development of a single sector plan [ 21, 22], the experience in Mongolia effectively inverted this sequence.

Globalization and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This is new: a radical innovation in political atrocity that goes beyond the paradigm of what we conventionally understand as terrorism.

Vice

Johnston has no time for any aspect of supernaturalism (he does not believe in life after death, for instance, or in Jesus's divinity, or even in God, as conventionally understood), but he does believe in "salvation" (which he defines as our re-orientation toward "another world": not a world to come, but this world, transfigured by love).

The New Yorker

They allow people to start life as full human beings.' Yunus believes that capitalism, as conventionally understood, must change.

The Guardian - Business

That is the opposite of Darwinism as conventionally understood.

The Economist

What "Marienbad" meant — its content, as conventionally understood — was not the issue.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure that the context supports the conventional understanding you are referencing. Be prepared to provide additional explanation or nuance if the conventional understanding is overly simplistic or contested.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "conventionally understood as" in your writing. While it's useful for establishing common ground, relying on it too frequently can make your writing sound repetitive and unoriginal. Vary your language by using synonyms or alternative phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conventionally understood as" serves as a qualifier or descriptor, indicating that the following statement represents a widely accepted or standard interpretation. Ludwig AI validates this usage with numerous examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "conventionally understood as" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating a widely accepted interpretation or definition. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various domains, including science, news, and encyclopedias. While versatile, avoid overusing it and consider alternatives like "commonly regarded as" or "generally accepted as" to maintain writing originality. Using "conventionally understood as" effectively involves recognizing its purpose in establishing shared understanding, while being mindful of its potential to oversimplify complex topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conventionally seen as

Mirrors the original phrase but uses "seen" instead of "understood".

commonly regarded as

Focuses on widespread perception or opinion.

generally accepted as

Emphasizes broad agreement or consensus.

typically viewed as

Highlights the standard or usual perspective.

traditionally perceived as

Stresses established or long-standing interpretation.

widely recognized as

Indicates broad acknowledgment or awareness.

ordinarily considered as

Suggests a normal or routine assessment.

customarily known as

Implies a familiar or habitual designation.

as a rule

Conveys a general principle or expectation.

in common parlance

Refers to common language or everyday usage.

FAQs

How can I use "conventionally understood as" in a sentence?

Use "conventionally understood as" to introduce a common or widely accepted definition or interpretation. For instance, "Democracy is "conventionally understood as" a system of government where citizens exercise power directly or elect representatives from among themselves."

What are some alternatives to "conventionally understood as"?

You can use alternatives like "commonly regarded as", "generally accepted as", or "typically viewed as" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "conventionally understood as" in formal writing?

Yes, "conventionally understood as" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to indicate that you are referring to a widely accepted definition or interpretation.

What is the difference between "conventionally understood as" and "commonly believed to be"?

"Conventionally understood as" refers to a standard definition or interpretation, while "commonly believed to be" indicates a widespread but potentially inaccurate belief. The former implies acceptance within a specific field or context, while the latter reflects popular opinion, which may lack factual basis.