is commonly thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is commonly thought' is correct and usable in written English.
In this phrase, the auxiliary verb 'is' is used to form the passive voice. It is used to describe something that is generally accepted by many people. For example, "It is commonly thought that eating a balanced diet is beneficial for one's health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Gonorrhea is commonly thought of as a painful genital infection.

The New Yorker

One species of spider beetle is commonly thought of as a bed bug.

The New York Times

But it is not as difficult for the court to change course as is commonly thought.

The New York Times

The army -- some 500,000 strong -- is commonly thought to be Pakistan's elite institution.

The New York Times - Magazine

Belsen is commonly thought of as a place of Jewish tragedy.

The Guardian - Books

Lastly, it is commonly thought that the MMR vaccine litigation had legal aid funding withdrawn.

The Guardian

Libertarians are a much smaller group among GOP voters than is commonly thought.

The Washington Post

What is commonly thought of as the featureless void is built from tiny units, or quanta.

The New York Times - Science

But the theory is commonly thought, at least by enthusiasts, to imply much more.

The New York Times

It is commonly thought that she stopped painting entirely after 1933 and took to gardening.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Much of the far north is commonly thought to be wilderness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is commonly thought" to introduce ideas or beliefs that are widely held, but may not necessarily be factual or proven. This allows you to present a common perspective before offering a contrasting viewpoint or additional information.

Common error

Avoid using "is commonly thought" as a substitute for factual evidence. Always strive to provide supporting data or credible sources to bolster your claims, even when introducing a common belief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is commonly thought" serves as an introductory device to present ideas, beliefs, or assumptions that are widely held within a specific group or society. As Ludwig AI highlights, it indicates a prevailing viewpoint rather than a definitively proven fact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is commonly thought" is a versatile introductory phrase used to present ideas or beliefs widely held by a group of people. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across different writing contexts. With a neutral register, it appears most often in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. When using this phrase, it is crucial to ensure that you are presenting it to introduce a common thought. In this manner, the best practice is to present a common point before disproving or supporting it. Be mindful of providing evidence or references to either support or contradict the "commonly thought" concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is generally believed

Replaces "commonly thought" with "generally believed", emphasizing widespread acceptance.

is widely accepted

Substitutes "commonly thought" with "widely accepted", focusing on the broad agreement surrounding an idea.

is popularly understood

Replaces "commonly thought" with "popularly understood", highlighting the general public's comprehension.

is a common belief

Changes the structure to emphasize the belief itself as common, rather than the act of thinking.

is the prevailing view

Shifts the focus to the dominant opinion or perspective on a matter.

is a widespread notion

Highlights the extensive reach of a particular idea or concept.

is the general consensus

Emphasizes agreement among a group or population.

is what most people think

Uses simpler language to convey the idea of a common thought.

people often assume

Focuses on the act of assumption, implying a potential lack of concrete evidence.

it's a common misconception

Introduces the possibility that the common thought is inaccurate or false.

FAQs

How can I use "is commonly thought" in a sentence?

Use "is commonly thought" to introduce a belief, idea, or assumption that is generally accepted by many people. For instance, "It "is commonly thought" that regular exercise improves overall health."

What are some alternatives to "is commonly thought"?

You can use alternatives such as "is generally believed", "is widely accepted", or "is popularly understood" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "is commonly thought"?

It is appropriate to use "is commonly thought" when you want to introduce a viewpoint that is widely held, even if it might be an oversimplification or not entirely accurate. This allows you to then build upon that common understanding with further details or counterarguments.

What's the difference between "is commonly thought" and "is widely known"?

"Is commonly thought" suggests a belief or assumption that may or may not be entirely accurate, while "is widely known" implies a fact or piece of information that is generally accepted as true and verifiable.