it's a given

USAGE SUMMARY

"it's a given" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is taken as accepted or generally known to be true. For example: It's a given that the teacher will assign homework every day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is kind of a bad record that's so obvious, it's a given.

The New Yorker

"I wouldn't say it's a given," he said of the state's permitting hydrofracking.

The New York Times

Because it's a given.

The New Yorker

"It's a given".

The New York Times - Food

"He's loathsome, it's a given," she replies.

The Guardian - Opinion

In "Ex Machina," it's a given that the robotics C.E.O.

The New Yorker

"If you're a woman, surely it's a given?" McDermid sighs.

The Guardian

"That's because it's a given," Siriano explains, not entirely convincingly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But it's a given that King Louis is a global entity.

The New York Times

"It's a given that we had to have elite-level coaches," Latham said.

The New York Times - Sports

It is kind of a bad record — that's so obvious, it's a given.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's a given" to clearly indicate something that is generally understood or accepted, avoiding the need for extensive explanation. This phrase works well when establishing shared knowledge or assumptions.

Common error

Avoid using "it's a given" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone sound condescending or dismissive. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "it's understood" or "it goes without saying" for a more nuanced approach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's a given" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate that something is obvious, understood, or certain. Ludwig AI confirms the expression's validity and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it's a given" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate something that is understood or certain, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an idiomatic phrase to establish shared understanding, and its register is generally neutral, though context can make it lean informal. Found most frequently in news and media sources, "it's a given" can be replaced with alternatives like "it's understood" or "it's assumed" to avoid overuse. The phrase is best used to establish shared knowledge but should be used judiciously to avoid sounding condescending.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's understood

Emphasizes that something is tacitly agreed upon or accepted without explicit statement.

it's assumed

Focuses on the presumption or expectation that something is true or will happen.

it's a certainty

Highlights the sureness or inevitability of something.

it's guaranteed

Stresses the assurance or promise that something will occur.

it's a sure thing

Indicates that something is highly likely to succeed or happen.

it goes without saying

Implies that something is so obvious that it doesn't need to be stated.

it's self-evident

Suggests that something is obvious and requires no proof.

it's taken for granted

Highlights that something is accepted as true without question or consideration.

it's a foregone conclusion

Emphasizes that the outcome is predetermined and inevitable.

it's axiomatic

Indicates that something is a fundamental truth or principle that is accepted without proof.

FAQs

How can I use "it's a given" in a sentence?

You can use "it's a given" to indicate that something is obvious or doesn't need further explanation. For example, "It's a given that prices will increase during the holiday season."

What are some alternatives to "it's a given"?

Alternatives include "it's understood", "it's assumed", or "it goes without saying", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "that's a given" instead of "it's a given"?

Yes, "that's a given" is also correct and conveys the same meaning as "it's a given". Both phrases indicate something that is certain or doesn't require further discussion.

What does "it's a given" imply in a conversation?

Using "it's a given" in a conversation implies that you believe the point you're making is self-evident or universally accepted, suggesting that further explanation is unnecessary.