generally understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generally understood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is widely understood or accepted. For example, "It is generally understood that eating a balanced diet is essential for good health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But its novelty is not generally understood.

The Guardian - Opinion

That something else was once generally understood to be Christianity.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Proletarian" relations are generally understood in terms of capitalist dispossession.

Harvard University

The main tool is, generally understood, polar decomposition.

Journal of Functional Analysis

This, she says, is how the presidential candidacy of Barack Obama is generally understood.

The Guardian

It is generally understood that players on a contract drive will pad their own statistics first.

The New York Times

COMPUTERS figure more in the making of contemporary art than is generally understood.

The New York Times

I could scarcely credit that they so generally understood who he was.

The New York Times - Books

It is generally understood that the 1611 Bible owes its greatest debt to William Tyndale.

The Guardian - Books

Players generally understood what they were being blown for and there was little need for clarification.

The Guardian - Sport

Immigrants have generally understood these truths more keenly than anyone, and behaved accordingly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generally understood" to introduce concepts or facts that most people are expected to know. It helps establish a common ground with your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "generally understood" for niche or highly specific topics, as it can alienate readers who may not be familiar with the subject matter. Always consider your audience's knowledge level.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally understood" functions as an introductory phrase or qualifier. It signals that the information following is considered common knowledge or widely accepted. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's used to set a baseline of shared understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "generally understood" is a versatile and frequently used expression that serves to indicate common knowledge or widely accepted ideas. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and can be used across a range of contexts, from news articles and academic papers to encyclopedia entries. While very common, it's important to use it judiciously, ensuring that the information truly is "generally understood" by your target audience. When you consider alternatives, remember that these should highlight either how recognized an idea is ( "widely accepted") or how popular it is ( "commonly believed").

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commonly known

Emphasizes the prevalence of the knowledge.

widely accepted

Focuses on acceptance rather than comprehension.

broadly recognized

Highlights the extent of recognition across a larger group.

universally acknowledged

Suggests almost complete agreement or recognition.

the consensus is that

Draws focus to the fact this idea is shared by a group

well-established

Implies a firm and lasting understanding.

a matter of common knowledge

Rephrases the idea as something everyone is expected to know.

it is common ground

Highlights that this point is agreed and forms a base for future discussion

the prevailing view

Emphasizes that this perspective is shared by most

taken for granted

Suggests an understanding so complete it is often overlooked.

FAQs

How to use "generally understood" in a sentence?

You can use "generally understood" to introduce a concept, fact, or idea that most people are expected to know. For example, "It is generally understood that exercise is beneficial for health".

What can I say instead of "generally understood"?

You can use alternatives like "widely accepted", "commonly known", or "universally acknowledged" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "generally understood" or "widely known"?

Both "generally understood" and "widely known" are correct, but they emphasize slightly different aspects. "Generally understood" highlights comprehension, while "widely known" emphasizes awareness.

What's the difference between "generally understood" and "commonly believed"?

"Generally understood" suggests something is factually correct and accepted, whereas "commonly believed" implies a popular belief, which may or may not be true.