is widely thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"is widely thought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a general opinion or belief about a certain subject. For example, "It is widely thought that medical marijuana can reduce chronic pain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is widely thought that UAE diplomats persuaded the 75-year-old Saleh to swap sides.

The Guardian

Bohr's triumph over Einstein on this occasion is widely thought to have been his greatest.

MIT Technology Review

Peach is widely thought to have origins in China, but its evolutionary history is largely unknown.

Nature

Mr Veltroni is widely thought to have done a good job running Italy's chaotic capital.

The Economist

He is widely thought to be grooming Kim Jong-un to extend the dynasty.

The New York Times

But Facebook is widely thought to have other channels to make money.

The New York Times - Tech

But it is widely thought to have cost him an outright victory in the first round.

The Economist

Mr Bo, it is widely thought, was a rival of President Xi Jinping.

The Economist

It is widely thought that the European Commission has handed out too many credits.

The New York Times

Mr. Zhou is widely thought to have backed Mr. Bo's methods and opposed his ouster.

The New York Times

It is widely thought to have hastened the end of feudalism, by making labour scarce.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is widely thought" to introduce a generally accepted idea or opinion, especially when you want to convey that the idea isn't necessarily a proven fact but rather a common understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "is widely thought" when the idea is only supported by a small group or is highly contested. Ensure that a broad consensus genuinely exists before using this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is widely thought" functions as an introductory expression to indicate a common belief, opinion, or assumption. It serves to present information that is generally accepted but not necessarily proven. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is widely thought" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a generally accepted idea or opinion. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts such as news, science, and academic writing. While this phrase is common and useful, it's important to ensure that the idea being presented genuinely reflects a broad consensus, as overstating its generality can weaken your argument. Remember that alternatives like "is generally believed" or "is commonly understood" can be employed to subtly adjust the nuance of your statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is generally believed

Focuses on a belief held by most people, implying widespread acceptance.

is commonly understood

Highlights a shared understanding, suggesting a more cognitive acceptance rather than a belief.

is largely accepted

Emphasizes acceptance, indicating that the idea has gained approval or agreement from many.

is broadly assumed

Suggests that something is taken for granted, often without explicit proof or examination.

is considered by many

Points out that a substantial number of people hold a certain opinion, without necessarily implying universal agreement.

is popularly conceived

Highlights a common perception or idea, particularly among the general public.

is the prevailing view

Indicates the dominant or most widespread opinion at a particular time.

is often supposed

Suggests a common assumption or expectation, which may or may not be accurate.

is widely recognized

Emphasizes that something is acknowledged or known by a large number of people.

is conventionally thought

Highlights that something is in accordance with general practice or custom.

FAQs

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

The phrase "is widely thought" introduces a common belief or opinion. For example, "It "is widely thought that exercise is beneficial" for both physical and mental health."

What are some alternatives to "is widely thought"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is generally believed", "is commonly understood", or "is largely accepted", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "is widely thought" or "is widely known"?

"Is widely thought" indicates a belief or opinion, while "is widely known" implies a fact. Use "is widely known" when referring to something that is generally considered to be factual.

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

"Is widely thought" suggests a general consensus or common understanding, while "is rumored" indicates an unverified piece of information circulating among people. The former has more credibility than the latter.