is commonly understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is commonly understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a particular concept or idea is widely recognized or accepted by a group of people. Example: "The term 'sustainability' is commonly understood to refer to practices that do not deplete resources for future generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They worry that the supply of homes overshot demand by far more than is commonly understood.

The New York Times

Leadership is commonly understood in terms of balancing two basic dualities.

Harvard Business Review

They also acknowledged that nicotine is addictive, as the term is commonly understood.

The New York Times

The MC Mojave case did not involve litigation finance, as that term is commonly understood.

The New York Times

"THE ideas of economists and political philosophers...are more powerful than is commonly understood.

The Economist

Yellow, for falls, is commonly understood as a symbol for caution, whether by janitors mopping floors or by traffic engineers.

The New York Times

They have not put the lives of tens of millions of Americans under "surveillance" as that word is commonly understood.

The New Yorker

John Maynard Keynes wrote that the ideas of economists and political philosophers are "more powerful than is commonly understood.

The Guardian - Opinion

The problem is commonly understood as an issue for those who have less, and it certainly is.

The Washington Post

Negligence as it is commonly understood is conduct which creates an undue risk of harm to others.

Harvard University

But the real stakes were much higher, and the issues much more fundamental, than is commonly understood.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is commonly understood" to introduce concepts widely accepted but potentially needing further context or nuance. Ensure the subsequent explanation aligns with the common understanding you're referencing.

Common error

Avoid using "is commonly understood" to introduce niche topics only familiar to experts. Instead, provide context or background information before making such claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is commonly understood" functions as an introductory device. It sets the stage for presenting an idea, concept, or definition that is generally accepted or recognized. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates a particular concept is widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is commonly understood" serves as a useful tool to introduce generally accepted concepts or ideas. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, with a high frequency in news, scientific, and academic domains. While generally neutral, it is important to use it judiciously, ensuring that the concept introduced is, in fact, widely understood by the intended audience. Alternatives such as ""is generally accepted"" or ""is widely recognized"" can be used to add nuance to the message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is generally accepted

Focuses on widespread agreement or approval, rather than just comprehension.

is widely recognized

Highlights broad awareness or acknowledgement of a fact or idea.

is well known

Emphasizes familiarity and widespread knowledge of something.

is a common belief

Suggests a belief held by many people, whether or not it's factual.

is a prevailing notion

Implies that an idea is currently dominant or widespread.

is popularly perceived

Focuses on how something is viewed or interpreted by the general public.

is conventionally thought

Suggests an idea that is based on tradition or accepted norms.

is considered mainstream

Highlights that something is part of the dominant or accepted culture.

is tacitly acknowledged

Indicates an agreement or understanding that is not explicitly stated.

is implicitly known

Suggests that the knowledge is understood without being directly expressed.

FAQs

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

You can use "is commonly understood" to introduce a generally accepted idea or concept, such as "It "is commonly understood" that exercise is beneficial for health".

What are some alternatives to "is commonly understood"?

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

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

Use it when introducing an idea or concept that most people are expected to know, but which you still want to explicitly state for clarity. Be sure to confirm your assumptions, because what "is commonly understood" might not be so across different cultural or professional contexts.

Is it redundant to explain something after saying it "is commonly understood"?

While it might seem redundant, providing a brief explanation after stating that something "is commonly understood" can add clarity and ensure everyone is on the same page, particularly when dealing with complex or nuanced topics.