is widely understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is widely understood' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a concept or idea that is accepted or known by a large number of people. For example: The importance of education is widely understood.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

English is widely understood.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That is widely understood and recognised.

The Guardian

This is widely understood, but not acted upon nearly enough.

The Guardian

"This is not a secret; it is widely understood.

The New York Times

The need for close relations with Russia is widely understood.

The Economist

March 30 , 2015 The action potential is widely understood as an electrical phenomenon.

Princeton University

And only part of the reason for this is widely understood.

The New York Times

It has become a shared body of knowledge with a common language that is widely understood.

The Guardian

And he is widely understood to be Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's most trusted troubleshooter.

The New York Times

When it comes to immigration, however, that blame is more well deserved than is widely understood.

The Guardian - Opinion

Celebrity is widely understood to be more chimerical than fame, less respectable and less trustworthy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is widely understood", ensure that the concept truly is broadly known to your target audience to avoid alienating or confusing readers.

Common error

Avoid using "is widely understood" when referring to niche topics or specialized knowledge. Overstating the level of general awareness can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is widely understood" functions as an introductory device to present information assumed to be common knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct way to set a foundation of shared understanding. It highlights that a particular concept, fact, or principle is generally accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is widely understood" is a versatile phrase used to introduce concepts or facts assumed to be common knowledge. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, especially in journalistic and academic contexts. While it serves to establish common ground with an audience, it's important to ensure the concept truly is broadly known to avoid alienating readers. Alternatives like "is generally known" or "is commonly recognized" may be suitable depending on the context. This phrase acts as a tool for efficient communication, allowing writers to build on shared knowledge without unnecessary exposition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is generally known

Replaces 'widely understood' with 'generally known', focusing on common knowledge.

is commonly recognized

Substitutes 'widely understood' with 'commonly recognized', emphasizing acknowledgement.

is well established

Changes 'widely understood' to 'well established', highlighting acceptance and confirmation.

is broadly accepted

Replaces 'widely understood' with 'broadly accepted', stressing general agreement.

is universally acknowledged

Moves from 'widely understood' to 'universally acknowledged', indicating near-total recognition.

is a matter of common knowledge

Rephrases to 'is a matter of common knowledge', underlining shared understanding.

is public knowledge

Changes to 'is public knowledge', focusing on accessibility of the information.

is a well-known fact

Expresses the idea as 'is a well-known fact', emphasizing verifiability.

is largely appreciated

Shifts to 'largely appreciated', highlighting the level of agreement and approval.

is extensively documented

Focuses on widespread documentation instead of understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "is widely understood" to introduce a concept or fact that most people generally know. For example, "It "is widely understood" that exercise is beneficial for health."

What are some alternatives to "is widely understood"?

Some alternatives include "is generally known", "is commonly recognized", or "is well established", depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "is widely understood" in formal writing?

Yes, "is widely understood" is suitable for formal writing as it clearly conveys that a concept is generally accepted or known.

What's the difference between "is widely understood" and "is universally understood"?

"Is widely understood" suggests a broad understanding, while "is universally understood" implies that virtually everyone understands the concept. The latter is a stronger statement and should be used when the concept is known by nearly everyone.