generally agreed upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"generally agreed upon" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to things that most people feel the same way about, or that everyone agrees on. For example: "The importance of hard work is generally agreed upon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

It has been generally agreed upon since Aristotle.

The New York Times

Broad parameters of issues like price and management had been generally agreed upon, the executives said.

The New York Times

Proceeds will go to charity, and everything is being sold without reserves, the secret minimum price generally agreed upon by the seller and the auction house.

The New York Times - Arts

All decisions are made through a consensus decision-making process, meaning things must be generally agreed upon by most or all members.

The Guardian

There are health standards for lead in soil, for example, but no generally agreed upon safety levels for say, a public sidewalk, scientists say.

The New York Times

The Karman line, the generally agreed upon line of space, is held at 100 kilometers.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Moreover, there is no generally agreed-upon method for citing online material.

The New York Times

Since there is no generally agreed-upon definition of fascism, this discussion is unlikely to be resolved.

The New Yorker

She said she designed the program to search out commonality and generally agreed-upon information partly to avoid emphasizing a particular point of view.

The New York Times - Tech

The eclipse of the Sabbath is just one small part of the larger erosion of social time, with its former generally agreed-upon rhythms of labor and repose.

The New York Times - Magazine

More than that, Thomas's appointment gives the Knicks something the organization has not had for years -- a clear focus and a broad, generally agreed-upon vision.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generally agreed upon" when you want to convey that a concept, idea, or standard has widespread acceptance, but you also want to acknowledge that there may be some dissent or exceptions. It strikes a balance between claiming universal agreement and stating a mere opinion.

Common error

Avoid using "generally agreed upon" when the subject is highly contentious or lacks significant evidence. Misusing it can weaken your argument by falsely implying consensus where none exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally agreed upon" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something has reached a consensus or is widely accepted. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "generally agreed upon" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate widespread, but not necessarily universal, consensus. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and suitability for diverse writing contexts. It’s most prevalent in scientific and news media, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using it, remember to ensure the subject truly has broad support and isn't a contentious topic presented as settled. Related alternatives include "widely accepted" and "commonly understood", each carrying slightly different connotations. Ultimately, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widely accepted

Emphasizes broad acceptance but less directly implies a process of agreement.

largely recognized

Highlights recognition more than active agreement, suitable when something is acknowledged but not necessarily debated.

commonly understood

Focuses on the understanding of a concept, implying agreement on its meaning.

mostly concurred with

Suggests a level of formal agreement, often in a group or professional setting.

broadly acknowledged

Similar to "widely accepted", but may imply a more passive form of acceptance.

commonly believed

Indicates that a belief is prevalent, rather than a formal agreement.

virtually undisputed

Strongly suggests a lack of disagreement, approaching universal acceptance.

by and large accepted

A more idiomatic way of saying "generally accepted", adding a touch of informality.

accepted as standard

Implies an official or de facto standard has been agreed upon.

met with general approval

Emphasizes that something received approval, not necessarily that it was previously discussed and agreed upon.

FAQs

How can I use "generally agreed upon" in a sentence?

You can use "generally agreed upon" to describe something that most people agree on. For example: "It is "generally agreed upon" that exercise is beneficial for health."

What's a good alternative to "generally agreed upon"?

Alternatives include "widely accepted", "largely recognized", or "commonly understood". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it ever wrong to use "generally agreed upon"?

It's best to avoid using "generally agreed upon" if there's significant controversy or clear evidence against the idea you're describing. It implies a stronger consensus than may exist.

What's the difference between "generally agreed upon" and "universally accepted"?

"Generally agreed upon" indicates widespread agreement with possible exceptions, while "universally accepted" suggests complete agreement without any dissent. The former is more nuanced and often more accurate.