generally believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generally believed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a common opinion or widely held belief about a particular subject. Example: "It is generally believed that exercise contributes to better mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

HSCs have been generally believed to arise from hemangioblasts [7].

Plosone

Or so it was generally believed.

The New York Times - Health

He was generally believed to be 54.

The New York Times

Perfect network security is generally believed to be infeasible.

Computer and Information Security Handbook

It is generally believed that the police overlooked other bombs.

The New York Times

It is also generally believed that women get worse deals.

The New York Times

BP was generally believed to be fed up with Russia.

The Guardian - Business

And customers generally believed that tips brought better service.

The New York Times - Food

And that happens more frequently than is generally believed.

Harvard Business Review

Polynyas are generally believed to be of two types.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is generally believed here that power is Germany.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generally believed" to introduce a statement that is widely accepted but may not be definitively proven. This acknowledges the potential for alternative viewpoints or new information.

Common error

Avoid using "generally believed" when presenting your own definitive conclusions. It's best used to introduce concepts or perspectives held by others, not to assert your own findings as absolute truth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally believed" typically functions as an introductory phrase, often followed by a 'that'-clause, to present a common or widespread belief. It sets the stage for a statement that is not necessarily a proven fact but is widely accepted as true. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase correctly indicates a common opinion or widely held belief.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "generally believed" is a versatile and frequently used expression for introducing widely held beliefs or common knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for a variety of contexts, including news, science, and academic writing. It is crucial to use this phrase judiciously, recognizing that what is "generally believed" may not always be definitively proven. Alternatives like "widely accepted" or "commonly thought" can offer subtle variations in emphasis. Always ensure that claims introduced with this phrase are supported with appropriate evidence and citations where needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widely accepted

Focuses on broad acceptance, implying agreement from many people.

commonly thought

Emphasizes the prevalence of a thought or idea among people.

widely held belief

Replaces "believed" with "belief", emphasizing the concept as a shared conviction.

largely assumed

Highlights the assumption aspect, suggesting something is taken for granted without concrete proof.

the accepted view

Focuses on the formal acceptance of a perspective or explanation.

the common wisdom

Refers to a belief that is so widely accepted that it's considered a basic truth.

prevailing opinion

Indicates the most popular or dominant view on a subject.

it is understood

Suggests a tacit agreement or knowledge that something is true.

it is presumed

Similar to "largely assumed", but can also imply a legal or formal context.

by all accounts

Highlights that the belief is supported by multiple reports or testimonies.

FAQs

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

The phrase "generally believed" introduces a widely held opinion or idea. For example: "It is generally believed that a healthy diet improves cognitive function."

What are some alternatives to "generally believed"?

You can use alternatives like "widely accepted", "commonly thought", or "largely assumed" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "generally believed" in academic writing?

Yes, "generally believed" is appropriate in academic writing to introduce common knowledge or prevailing theories. However, always support such statements with citations and evidence where possible.

What's the difference between "generally believed" and "proven"?

"Generally believed" indicates a widespread opinion, while "proven" implies that something has been verified with evidence. What is "generally believed" may not always be "proven".