generally accepted idea that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generally accepted idea that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a concept or belief that is widely recognized or acknowledged by a group or community. Example: "There is a generally accepted idea that exercise contributes to better mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

In his recent book Cycles of Time, mathematician Roger Penrose takes issue with the generally accepted idea that the universe will eventually (in, say, a few trillion years) become an infinitely lifeless, cold soup of pointlessly drifting photons.

The Guardian - Music

it is a generally accepted idea that women who give birth at home are less fearful of giving birth than women who give birth in a hospital.

Midwifery

Based on the generally accepted idea that values explain attitudes and behaviors, there are different approaches to capture values (Vinson et al. 1977).

Fashion and Textiles

A special designed Al / Cu target built from Cu and Al parts was used to investigate the generally accepted idea that the ISEE coefficient of a target is a linear composition of the ISEE coefficient of its components.

Surface and Coatings Technology

In contrast to the generally accepted idea that fragmentation reduces plant reproduction, reproductive success may increase in sparse populations or increase in response to decreases in LNS in C. agristis.

Botanical Studies

It is a generally accepted idea that environments and cell-cell interactions shape the species composition in communities [ 9- 11].

Biotechnology for Biofuels

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The generally accepted idea behind high street fashion stores is that you walk in empty handed and leave juggling bags of shiny new things.

The Guardian

However, recent analyses with adjustments for confounding factors have challenged this generally accepted idea [ 5, 6], with the exception of one study [ 7].

BMC Medical Research Methodology

That the type b capsule protects H. influenzae from the bactericidal activity of the complement system and that this protection contributes to its invasive character are generally accepted ideas.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Contrary to generally accepted ideas, the correlation coefficients between the decay constant and total porosity or degree of saturation are very low.

Construction and Building Materials

Recent findings have questioned the currently accepted idea that most protein localizations occur after translation.

EMBO Reports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "generally accepted idea that", ensure that the idea you're referring to truly has widespread support within the relevant field or community. Avoid using it for niche theories or personal opinions.

Common error

Avoid using "generally accepted idea that" when the idea is still under debate or lacks substantial evidence. Clearly distinguish between a widespread belief and a proven fact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally accepted idea that" functions as a preface or introduction to a statement, indicating that the following concept is widely acknowledged or believed to be true. Ludwig confirms this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "generally accepted idea that" is a grammatically correct and usable way to introduce a concept widely recognized within a particular context. While not exceptionally frequent, Ludwig's analysis indicates it’s commonly found in scientific, news media, and encyclopedia articles. When employing this phrase, be sure that the concept truly holds broad acceptance to avoid misrepresenting its status. Alternatives like "widely recognized notion that" or "commonly held belief that" can offer slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widely recognized notion that

Replaces 'generally accepted' with 'widely recognized', emphasizing broad acknowledgment.

commonly held belief that

Substitutes 'idea' with 'belief', highlighting a shared conviction.

prevailing understanding that

Focuses on the dominant or current comprehension of a concept.

established consensus that

Emphasizes agreement and confirmation within a group.

standard assumption that

Highlights the idea as a default or typical premise.

conventional wisdom that

Points to a belief that's long-standing and broadly adopted.

unquestioned premise that

Suggests the idea is so widely accepted it's rarely challenged.

largely undisputed view that

Focuses on the lack of debate or disagreement surrounding the idea.

accepted principle that

Highlights the idea as a foundational rule or guideline.

broadly acknowledged concept that

Stresses the wide recognition and acceptance of a concept.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "generally accepted idea that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "widely recognized notion that" or "established consensus that".

Is "generally accepted idea that" always a correct phrase to use?

While the phrase is grammatically correct, it's crucial to ensure the idea you're referencing is indeed widely accepted. Otherwise, it can be misleading. Ludwig indicates the phrase is correct and usable.

What's the difference between "generally accepted idea that" and "common knowledge that"?

"Generally accepted idea that" implies a broad agreement within a specific field or community, whereas "common knowledge that" suggests something known by most people. Both phrases are accurate but apply to different contexts.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "generally accepted idea that"?

Avoid using "generally accepted idea that" when discussing controversial topics or theories that lack widespread support or evidence. Opt for more neutral language when presenting contested viewpoints.