is broadly understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is broadly understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a concept or idea that is generally accepted or recognized by a wide audience. Example: "The importance of climate change is broadly understood among scientists and policymakers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"They were considered part of the problem a few years ago; now it's an army that is broadly understood not to be engaged in sectarian violence".

The New York Times

The essential history is known; the ambience is broadly understood; the relationship between the life and the work has yielded its chief mysteries.

The New York Times - Arts

While net positive is broadly understood to be a promise by business to "put more into society than we take out", there is a fear that without some governance, it has the potential to become a throwaway marketing term with little to no underlying meaning, says John Pflueger, principal environmental strategist at Dell.

The Guardian

Markets are most efficient when both buyers and sellers exist, when products or services are discrete so that the exchange can be one-time, when information about a product or service (such as its technology or means of evaluation) is broadly understood, and when there are enforced penalties for cheating.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Banerjee and Duflo (2007) document the prevalence of multiple enterprises within non-farm households, and the diversity of activities within farm households is broadly understood.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

It is broadly understood that equal access to education is undermined if people have to pay the costs for primary and secondary education themselves, as these costs are typically higher than most low and middle-income households can afford from their annual incomes.

European Transport Research Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Previous slogans, such as Deng Xiaoping's "reform and opening up", could be broadly understood in terms of policy.

The Economist

Iran's role in providing arms to allies and to those who fight its enemies has long been broadly understood.

The New York Times

These were broadly understood to be trial runs, in fairness, but the experience didn't appear to have helped them with the 2015 submissions.

The New Yorker

The Peace Prize has often been broadly understood; children's rights fits well into its mandate of increasing understanding between nations.

The New Yorker

Much like the weather, Ms. Jacobs said, cities are astoundingly complex systems, governed by feedback loops that are broadly understood yet impossible to replicate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is broadly understood" when you want to convey that a concept has a general, widespread acceptance or comprehension, even if nuanced interpretations exist. This is particularly useful in academic or professional contexts where establishing common ground is important.

Common error

Avoid using "is broadly understood" if the concept is actually debated or only accepted within a specific group. Ensure there's sufficient evidence to support the claim of widespread understanding before using the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is broadly understood" functions as a passive construction indicating that a concept or idea is generally accepted or comprehended. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples show it often preceeds descriptions of widely accepted facts or principles.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is broadly understood" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that a concept or idea is generally accepted or comprehended. While Ludwig AI verifies its correctness, it's important to use it judiciously, ensuring that the concept truly enjoys widespread understanding and the usage doesn't inadvertently overstate the consensus. The phrase appears frequently in academic, scientific, and news contexts. Related phrases like "is generally accepted" or "is widely recognized" can serve as alternatives to fine-tune the intended meaning. Remember to avoid overgeneralization and to use the phrase when the shared understanding is well-supported.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is generally accepted

Focuses on widespread agreement rather than comprehension.

is widely recognized

Emphasizes acknowledgement more than in-depth understanding.

is commonly known

Highlights familiarity rather than complex comprehension.

is widely accepted

Focuses on approval and agreement, not necessarily understanding.

is well established

Highlights the long-standing nature of the understanding.

is generally believed

Implies acceptance based on belief rather than concrete evidence.

is commonly believed

Focuses on popular belief rather than informed understanding.

is almost universally agreed

Suggests a near-complete consensus, stronger than "broadly".

is fairly well known

Suggests an intermediate level of common knowledge or understanding.

is relatively well understood

Specifies that understanding is good but not necessarily perfect.

FAQs

How can I use "is broadly understood" in a sentence?

You can use "is broadly understood" to indicate that a concept, idea, or fact is generally accepted or known by a wide audience. For example: "It is broadly understood that climate change poses a significant threat to global ecosystems."

What are some alternatives to "is broadly understood"?

Alternatives include "is generally accepted", "is widely recognized", "is commonly known", or "is well established" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "is broadly understood" or "is universally understood"?

"Is broadly understood" implies a general, but not necessarily complete, agreement. "Is universally understood" suggests that everyone understands it, which is a stronger claim and harder to substantiate. Use "is broadly understood" when a general consensus exists but some disagreement or varying interpretations are possible.

Can "is broadly understood" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "is broadly understood" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic and professional contexts, as it conveys a sense of shared knowledge or consensus on a particular topic.