established beliefs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "established beliefs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to the beliefs that are generally accepted in a given society or community. For example, "The mayor of the small town had difficulty overthrowing the established beliefs of the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

During the Middle Ages, the maintenance of the established beliefs and forms of government remained the priority.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This may be frustrating, but new information should always be welcome, even if it casts doubt on established beliefs.

Harvard University

While Nietzsche mounted a formidable intellectual challenge to established beliefs, these two religious teachers emphasised that freedom from suffering involved something beyond the intellect.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is only now, as Trump's iconoclastic assaults on established beliefs, laws, institutions and values test the system to destruction, that the true scale of pre-existing weaknesses and faultlines is becoming apparent.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was subsequently called a heretic for his opposition to Evangelicalism, which stressed established beliefs, and he was held responsible by some for the Quaker schism of 1827 28.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We tend to treat our established beliefs as innocent until 'proved guilty'.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Does it go back to what we quoted you as saying earlier, that "the best American novelists have made singular departures from established belief and practice"?

University of California, Berkeley

Output showed that over half of all energy entering each sunspace originated as diffuse solar radiation, and that 60 70% of the total was transmitted through shallow-pitched roof glazing, in a pattern contrary to established belief.

Building and Environment

In addition to the maths, the various dimensional encounters also introduce their differing social organisations, with the purpose of revealing a central concern of Flatland: the conflict that ensues when different ways of knowing the world confront established belief systems or commonly held views of the world.

Johns Hopkins University

A sect is generally defined as a branch or denomination of an established belief system or mainstream church.

Wikipedia

For example, the Freedom from Religion Foundation describes a freethinker as someone "who forms opinions about religion on the basis of reason, independently of tradition, authority, or established belief.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about societal change, use "established beliefs" to highlight the contrast between traditional viewpoints and emerging perspectives.

Common error

Avoid using "established beliefs" to describe personal opinions. This phrase is most effective when referring to widely held views within a group or society, not individual convictions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "established beliefs" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It refers to the set of ideas, principles, or convictions that are widely accepted and deeply ingrained within a specific group or society. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Science

26%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "established beliefs" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase that refers to the widely accepted ideas within a group or society. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English. It is often used in contexts discussing social change, cultural analysis, or historical studies. While the phrase appears across various registers, it maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for both formal and informal writing. Related phrases include "conventional wisdom" and "traditional values". When using this phrase, it's important to ensure it accurately reflects collective viewpoints rather than individual opinions. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its validity and widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ingrained ideas

Emphasizes how deeply rooted certain beliefs are within individuals or society.

conventional wisdom

Emphasizes the widely held, though not necessarily accurate, ideas of a group.

received wisdom

Indicates that the belief has been passed down and generally accepted, often without critical examination.

common assumptions

Highlights the underlying beliefs that are often taken for granted.

orthodox views

Highlights beliefs that conform to established doctrines or standards.

accepted norms

Focuses on the standard or expected behaviors within a society, rather than specifically on beliefs.

customary notions

Refers to traditional and widely accepted ideas about something.

traditional values

Highlights the long-standing principles and customs passed down through generations.

dominant ideologies

Focuses on the systems of thought that shape political and social structures.

prevailing attitudes

Refers to the dominant sentiments and opinions within a population.

FAQs

How can I use "established beliefs" in a sentence?

You can use "established beliefs" to refer to ideas, values, or principles that are widely accepted and deeply ingrained in a particular society or group. For example: "Challenging "established beliefs" often requires courage and persistence".

What's a good alternative to "established beliefs"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "conventional wisdom", "traditional values", or "accepted norms". Each of these carries slightly different connotations.

What is the difference between "established beliefs" and "values"?

"Values" are guiding principles or standards of behavior, while "established beliefs" are the specific ideas or convictions that a group or society widely accepts. "Established beliefs" often reflect underlying values, but are more concrete and specific.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "established beliefs"?

The term "established beliefs" is appropriate in discussions of social change, cultural analysis, and historical studies, where you need to refer to the prevailing viewpoints of a particular time or place.