is popularly understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is popularly understood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a concept, term, or idea that is widely recognized or accepted by the general public. Example: "The term 'global warming' is popularly understood to refer to the long-term increase in Earth's average surface temperature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

But despite that, Obama's record, told with excruciating but powerfully persuasive detail, has been far better than is popularly understood.

The New Yorker

This time, however, the judges ruled that "white persons" was "synonymous with the word 'Caucasian' only as that word is popularly understood".

The New Yorker

Little is popularly understood about a religion that traces its origins to the revelations granted a 14-year-old son of a farmer in 1820 in Palmyra, N.Y.

The New York Times

For those familiar with Mr. Link's work as it is popularly understood, the book's inclusion of color photography from this period may come as a surprise.

The New York Times

I was born and grew up in Northeast India and I've seen the hunger for a better life as it is popularly understood in most places.

The New York Times

How to replace that precedent and how to square the First Amendment, as it is popularly understood, with meaningful limits on money in politics—remains an open, and vexing, question for lawyers and policymakers.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"The Story of My Life," her youthful autobiography, was on the reading lists of most schools, and its author was popularly understood to be a heroine of uncommon grace and courage, a sort of worldly saint.

The New Yorker

Another problem arises when you consider that, much like sexuality before it, gender is coming to be popularly understood as a spectrum rather than a rigid binary of male and female.

Vice

My guess is that it involves the operation of a faculty that is not popularly understood to be a sense, like sight or smell.

The New York Times - Arts

The Senate report, by Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, reiterated that "The bill would clarify in statute what was already popularly understood to be the scope of application of the SFPA" prior to the case, but did not otherwise make any commentary regarding it.

Wikipedia

The notion of karma, as it is popularly and wrongly understood (as in, you get what you deserve) is an imposition of meaning, but tempting for those who are sensitive to their own acts of wrongdoing.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is popularly understood" to introduce concepts widely accepted but potentially oversimplified or requiring further clarification.

Common error

Avoid using "is popularly understood" when discussing niche topics or specialized knowledge, as it may alienate readers unfamiliar with the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is popularly understood" functions as a qualifier or introducer. It signals that the speaker or writer is about to present a common or widespread understanding of a concept, term, or idea. As Ludwig AI pointed out, this aims to establish a baseline before potentially offering a more nuanced or accurate perspective.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is popularly understood" serves to introduce a common understanding of a concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and often used to preface a more detailed or nuanced explanation. While versatile across registers, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of your audience and avoid assuming universal understanding of niche topics. Consider alternatives like "is commonly known" or "is widely accepted" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is commonly known

Replaces "popularly understood" with a focus on widespread knowledge.

is widely accepted

Shifts the emphasis to broad agreement or belief.

is generally believed

Highlights the prevalent opinion or conviction.

is conventionally accepted

Implies adherence to established norms or customs in understanding.

is publicly perceived

Focuses on how something is seen or interpreted by the public.

is the common perception

Highlights the collective understanding or view.

is the prevailing view

Indicates the dominant or most current perspective.

is the general consensus

Emphasizes an agreement among a group of people.

is the mainstream understanding

Highlights the acceptance of an idea by most people.

is part of common knowledge

Highlights that the fact or the concept it's something everyone knows.

FAQs

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

You can use "is popularly understood" to introduce a common belief or definition, often preceding a clarification or counterpoint. For instance, "The term 'meme' "is popularly understood" as a fever and became content that is played by everyone."

What are some alternatives to "is popularly understood"?

Alternatives include "is commonly known", "is widely accepted", or "is generally believed". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Use it when introducing an idea or concept that most people are familiar with, even if their understanding might be incomplete or slightly inaccurate. This sets the stage for refining or expanding on that understanding.

What's the difference between "is popularly understood" and "is generally accepted"?

"Is popularly understood" emphasizes widespread familiarity, even if the understanding is superficial. "Is generally accepted" suggests a broader agreement on the validity or truth of something, implying a deeper level of understanding.