is universal to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is universal to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something applies to or is relevant for all cases or instances within a certain context. Example: "The principle of equality is universal to all human rights frameworks."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Matter is dispersed sparingly throughout empty space, gravity is universal to matter but not inherent in it, and the universe is ordered according to rules that are neither absolutely necessary nor chaotic.

SEP

Do you think her reaction to the dentist is universal to most people?

The New York Times

It is universal: to thine own self be true and all that.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This play is universal to questions about commitment, faith and love," Mr. Heusinger said.

The New York Times

"The inherent desire to create – whether on paper or in scenarios with toys – is universal to us all.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I wanted to find out the nature of how the body moves that is universal to all bodies.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

This mechanism may be universal to anesthetic action on neuronal proteins.

Biophysical Journal

In metaphorical terms, it's universal to the human condition.

Vice

"Our vision for the Google Assistant is to be universal, to be there everywhere the user needs it to be".

Vice

It's really about experiences that are universal to all of us.

Huffington Post

Some of which, I believe, are universal to single mothers in my age bracket.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is universal to" when emphasizing that a principle, characteristic, or phenomenon applies broadly without exception within a defined scope. For example: "The need for connection is universal to all humans."

Common error

Avoid using "is universal to" when evidence suggests that exceptions or variations exist. Instead, qualify the statement with phrases like "is generally" or "is often" to acknowledge potential nuances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is universal to" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a quality or characteristic that applies to all members of a specified group or all instances of a specified phenomenon. Ludwig AI shows that the phrase is frequently used to express broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is universal to" serves to highlight that a characteristic, principle, or phenomenon broadly applies without exception within a defined scope. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and common usage of this phrase across multiple domains. While alternatives like "applies to all" or "is common across" exist, "is universal to" emphasizes the comprehensive scope. When using this phrase, ensure that evidence supports the claim of universality to avoid overgeneralizations. The phrase exhibits a generally neutral to formal register, and has a prevalent distribution in scientific and news-related contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

applies to all

Focuses on the application of something across all instances, rather than its inherent universality.

is common across

Emphasizes the commonality of something in different contexts or groups.

is generally true for

Highlights the general truth or validity of something, allowing for possible exceptions.

is applicable to all

Similar to "applies to all", but with a stronger emphasis on the suitability or relevance.

pertains to everyone

Highlights that something concerns or affects every individual.

is ubiquitous among

Focuses on the widespread presence or occurrence of something within a specific group or area.

is intrinsic to

Emphasizes the inherent or essential nature of something, making it universally present.

is standard for

Highlights that something is the norm or accepted practice.

is widespread in

Focuses on how common something is within a specific location, group, or context.

is typical of

Implies a common trait or characteristic within a category.

FAQs

How can I use "is universal to" in a sentence?

Use "is universal to" to indicate that something applies to all members of a group or all instances of a phenomenon. For example, "The desire for recognition is universal to human beings."

What phrases can I use instead of "is universal to"?

You can use alternatives like "applies to all", "is common across", or "is generally true for" depending on the specific context.

Is "is universal to" the same as "applies to"?

While similar, "is universal to" emphasizes the lack of exceptions, whereas "applies to" may allow for some variation. Choose "is universal to" when highlighting the absolute and widespread nature of something.

What's the difference between "is universal to" and "is common to"?

"Is universal to" implies that something applies to every member of a set. "Is common to" simply means that something is observed in many members of a set, without necessarily being present in all of them.