generally understood that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "generally understood that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating a common belief or consensus about a particular idea or fact. Example: "It is generally understood that regular 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

"It generally understood that Reagan was largely a hands-off president".

Vice

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

The Guardian - Books

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

The New York Times

"It's generally understood that falling in love means committing to commitment," she writes.

The New Yorker

It is now generally understood that the U.S.-led war in Iraq has become a debacle.

The New York Times

But it is not generally understood that the C.I.O. is the kind of party that demands such sacrifices.

The New Yorker

Foreign officials working on the elections said it was generally understood that they would be held in mid-October.

The New York Times

Furthermore, it has always been generally understood that the industrialized nations would move first, the developing nations later.

The New York Times

It is generally understood that greenhouse gasses produced by human activities are having a warming effect on the climate.

Ecological Economics

While Laker officials have not commented, it is generally understood that the layoffs were made in preparation for the lockout.

The New York Times - Sports

It was generally understood that if a nation slaughtered people within its own borders, neighboring countries would not intervene.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "generally understood that" to introduce statements widely accepted as true but may not be formally proven. For example: "It's generally understood that a healthy diet is important for overall well-being."

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "generally understood that" in a single piece of writing, as it can make your text sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "commonly known" or "widely accepted" to introduce accepted facts or beliefs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "generally understood that" functions as a discourse marker introducing a proposition that the speaker assumes is widely accepted or known. It sets the stage for presenting information considered common knowledge, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

25%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "generally understood that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to introduce information presumed to be common knowledge or a widely accepted belief. While versatile, it appears most often in News & Media and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a widely held understanding and is not merely a personal assumption. While the phrase is helpful for setting context, varying sentence structure can improve readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widely accepted that

Focuses on broad agreement or approval.

commonly known that

Emphasizes the widespread knowledge of a fact.

universally acknowledged that

Highlights near-complete agreement on something.

it is common knowledge that

Directly states that the information is well-known.

it is a given that

Suggests that something is considered a certainty.

it is presumed that

Indicates an assumption based on probability.

it is recognized that

Highlights formal acknowledgment of something.

it is believed that

Reflects a widely held belief, but not necessarily a proven fact.

it is accepted that

Indicates that a fact or idea has been agreed to.

it is recognized that

Highlights formal acknowledgment of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "generally understood that" to introduce a statement that is widely accepted as true. For example: "It is "generally understood that" regular exercise is beneficial for health."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "generally understood that"?

Alternatives include "widely accepted that", "commonly known that", or "universally acknowledged that". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of consensus you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it is generally understand that" instead of "generally understood that"?

No, the correct phrasing is "it is "generally understood that"". The past participle "understood" should be used, not the base form "understand."

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

"Generally understood that" implies a widespread awareness and acceptance of a fact, while "generally believed that" suggests a common belief, which may not necessarily be based on concrete evidence. The former is stronger and more factual in tone.