generally believed that

USAGE SUMMARY

"generally believed that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when expressing a general opinion that is shared by many people. For example, "It is generally believed that the world is becoming more and more connected due to advances in technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is generally believed that stresses depress the functions of the immune system.

DNA Research

However, it was generally believed that failure to do so would not have serious negative consequences.

BMC Public Health

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

And customers generally believed that tips brought better service.

The New York Times - Food

In fact, it is generally believed that Australopithecus evolved in the late Pliocene.

University of California, Berkeley

It is now generally believed that the Chrysophyta is a heterogeneous group, probably paraphyletic.

University of California, Berkeley

It is generally believed that an increase in speed harms road safety.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

It is generally believed that the biologic effect originates from silver ions released from the coating.

Materials Science and Engineering: C

It is generally believed that all such regimens have an equivalent impact on survival.

Lung Cancer

It is generally believed that interaction of these non-linear waves is difficult to analyze.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generally believed that" to introduce a statement widely accepted but not necessarily proven, providing context or background before presenting new information or a contrasting view.

Common error

Avoid using "generally believed that" excessively without providing specific sources or evidence to support the claim. This can weaken your argument and make it seem unsubstantiated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally believed that" functions as an introductory phrase used to present a common or widely held opinion or assumption. It sets the stage for a statement that is typically understood or accepted by many, as exemplified in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

25%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "generally believed that" is a common phrase used to introduce statements reflecting widespread opinions or assumptions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for various writing contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news-related content, indicating its utility in presenting accepted knowledge or common perspectives. While useful, it's important to substantiate claims introduced with this phrase to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widely accepted that

Replaces "believed" with "accepted", emphasizing agreement or consensus.

commonly thought that

Substitutes "believed" with "thought", highlighting a prevalent idea.

it is understood that

Shifts the focus to a general understanding rather than belief.

it is a common assumption that

Replaces "belief" with "assumption", indicating a presumption.

prevailing wisdom suggests that

Uses "prevailing wisdom" to denote a widely held understanding.

the conventional view is that

Emphasizes that the belief is part of established or traditional thinking.

it is a widespread notion that

Indicates the belief is common and found across many people.

most people think that

Simplifies the phrase to express a common opinion.

it is the established view that

Implies the belief is well-founded and recognized.

by and large, people think

Replaces "generally believed" with an alternative expression, adding conversational tone.

FAQs

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

Use "generally believed that" to introduce a common opinion or assumption. For example, "It is "generally believed that" a healthy diet contributes to overall well-being."

What are some alternatives to "generally believed that"?

You can use phrases like "widely accepted that", "commonly thought that", or "it is understood that" as alternatives to "generally believed that" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always accurate to say "generally believed that"?

Not necessarily. The phrase indicates a widespread belief, but it doesn't guarantee accuracy. Always consider whether there's evidence to support or refute the belief.

How can I verify a statement that is "generally believed"?

Look for supporting evidence from reliable sources, such as academic studies, expert opinions, or reputable news articles. Consider whether there are dissenting viewpoints or contradictory evidence.