despite the common view

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite the common view" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a statement that contrasts with widely held beliefs or opinions. Example: "Despite the common view that exercise is only beneficial for physical health, it also significantly improves mental well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This conclusion suggests that, despite the common view to the contrary, the institution of plea bargains may not improve the well-being of defendants.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Crazier and crazier" is increasingly the common view.

The New Yorker

This integration challenges the common view of cell fate landscapes.

Current Topics in Developmental Biology

Some went against the common view held in UMNO.

Wikipedia

The less common view was the one up close.

The New York Times

Similarly, despite their universality, human moral capacities and tendencies might in principle trace back to spandrels of consciousness, though again this isn't the most common view.

SEP

The more common view was concern that vulnerable citizens could now be placed under pressure and, despite having an understanding of their rights, could be more easily coerced in a manner prejudicial to their interests.

Wikipedia

Table 3 The orbit and common view period.

Earth, Planets and Space

The most common views in Trace Compass are the Control Flow view and the Resource view.

Journal of Cloud Computing

From an administrative point of view, despite the common legal framework of the stock company, two JPFEs continued to use public procurement procedures in the fulfilment of ordinary purchasing activities, while the other two adopted private procedures.

BMC Health Services Research

Despite common views of social experiments as scarce knowledge that consolidates the power of experts, I show how community experiments can scale policy evaluation and expand public influence on the governance of human and machine behavior.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "despite the common view" to introduce a surprising or counter-intuitive point that challenges conventional wisdom. This can add depth and nuance to your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "despite the common view" when the view is only common within a specific group or context. Ensure the view is genuinely widespread before using this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite the common view" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces a contrast or contradiction to a widely held opinion or belief. It sets the stage for presenting an alternative perspective, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despite the common view" is a useful prepositional phrase for introducing statements that contrast with generally held beliefs. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and sees usage across academic, news, scientific, and general contexts. While relatively versatile, it’s important to ensure that the "common view" is genuinely widespread. Consider alternatives like "contrary to popular belief" or "notwithstanding the general opinion" to tailor your writing to the specific context. Ultimately, using this phrase effectively enhances your argument by acknowledging and then challenging conventional wisdom.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrary to popular belief

Changes the structure to an adverbial phrase emphasizing the contrast with widespread beliefs.

notwithstanding the general opinion

Replaces "common view" with "general opinion" for a more formal tone.

in opposition to the prevailing thought

Uses "prevailing thought" to denote the common viewpoint being challenged.

despite widespread understanding

Emphasizes the breadth of agreement that the subsequent statement will challenge.

although it is generally believed

Shifts the grammatical structure to a concessive clause.

even though many think

Simplifies the phrasing for a more conversational tone.

regardless of the accepted wisdom

Replaces "common view" with "accepted wisdom", implying conventional knowledge.

in defiance of conventional thinking

Suggests a stronger opposition to established beliefs.

setting aside what most people assume

Framing the statement as deliberately ignoring popular assumptions.

contrasting the commonly held idea

Highlights the act of contrasting with a popular idea.

FAQs

How can I use "despite the common view" in a sentence?

You can use "despite the common view" to introduce a statement that contrasts with a widely held belief. For example: "Despite the common view that success requires innate talent, hard work and dedication are often more crucial."

What can I say instead of "despite the common view"?

You can use alternatives like "contrary to popular belief", "notwithstanding the general opinion", or "in opposition to the prevailing thought" depending on the context.

Is "despite the common view" formal or informal?

"Despite the common view" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "notwithstanding the general opinion" may be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "despite the common view" and "despite popular belief"?

"Despite the common view" and "despite popular belief" are largely interchangeable. "View" emphasizes a perspective or opinion, while "belief" emphasizes acceptance of something as true. The choice depends on which nuance you want to convey.