generally acknowledged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generally acknowledged" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe facts or truths that are widely accepted or believed to be true without the need for proof. For example: It is generally acknowledged that the ocean is essential to life on Earth.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although generally acknowledged, this effect has often been ignored in practical applications of the CMB method.

Journal of Hydrology

Rail transit is generally acknowledged as an alternative transport mode in contributing towards sustainable mobility.

Environmental Science & Policy

It is generally acknowledged that humans attend to only a few regions within a scenery.

Information Sciences

The importance of designing suitable participatory governance processes is generally acknowledged.

Environmental Science & Policy

The importance of validly identifying and incorporating patients' views for improving health care is generally acknowledged.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

Tourism is generally acknowledged as one of the economic sectors with higher growth prospects worldwide.

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Austerlitz, Sebald's final novel, is generally acknowledged to be his tour-de-force.

The Guardian - Books

She was married three times, but generally acknowledged having had only two husbands.

The New Yorker

JOHN KEEGAN is generally acknowledged to be one of the outstanding military historians of our time.

The New York Times - Books

Yet despite its Ruritanian appointments process, the Lords is generally acknowledged to be working unexpectedly effectively.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is generally acknowledged that the Iranian public would welcome relations with the United States.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generally acknowledged" to introduce a statement that is widely accepted as true within a specific field or context, but may not be universally proven or documented. This helps set the stage for further discussion or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "generally acknowledged" as a filler phrase without providing specific context or evidence. Ensure that what you're claiming is indeed widely accepted within the relevant community, and not just your personal opinion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally acknowledged" functions as an introductory element, signaling that the subsequent statement is a widely accepted belief or understanding. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it introduces information regarded as true without requiring immediate proof.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "generally acknowledged" is a versatile tool for introducing widely accepted ideas. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and commonly used to preface statements considered true without immediate proof. Analysis reveals its prevalence in scientific and news contexts, marking a neutral-to-formal register. While alternatives like "widely recognized" and "universally accepted" offer nuanced variations, remember to provide specific context to avoid overuse. This phrase serves to build common ground with your audience, streamlining communication and setting a clear foundation for your argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widely recognized

Emphasizes broad recognition, focusing on awareness and acceptance.

broadly accepted

Similar to "generally acknowledged", but emphasizes the wide scope of acceptance.

universally accepted

Highlights complete agreement and lack of dispute.

commonly understood

Focuses on shared understanding rather than explicit acknowledgment.

well-established

Suggests a firm and long-standing acceptance of a concept or fact.

largely believed

Shifts focus to belief rather than explicit acknowledgment, implying a strong consensus.

it is a consensus

States explicitly that there is a collective agreement on a specific matter.

it is common knowledge

Implies that something is widely known and doesn't need specific citation.

understood by most

Focuses on comprehension by a majority of people.

accepted as fact

Highlights that something is regarded as true and reliable.

FAQs

How can I use "generally acknowledged" in a sentence?

You can use "generally acknowledged" to introduce a fact or idea that is widely accepted. For instance, "It is "generally acknowledged" that exercise is beneficial for health."

What are some alternatives to "generally acknowledged"?

Some alternatives include "widely recognized", "universally accepted", or "commonly understood" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always necessary to provide a source when using "generally acknowledged"?

While "generally acknowledged" implies widespread acceptance, providing a source can strengthen your argument, especially in academic or formal writing. Use your judgment based on the context and audience.

What's the difference between "generally acknowledged" and "widely known"?

"Generally acknowledged" implies a formal or explicit acceptance, while "widely known" suggests that something is commonly known, though not necessarily formally recognized.