it's a given that

USAGE SUMMARY

"it's a given that" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means that something is commonly accepted or universally understood to be true. Example: It's a given that education is important for achieving success in life.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

You put Michael Jackson's name on a record, you'd think it's a given that Jackson is somehow involved in the material it contains.

The New York Times

From the start, it's a given that writing and despair are parallel; what's true of one must be true of the other.

The Guardian - Books

"If you take away staff, it's a given that the quality of education will decrease," said Stacy Ford, Aurora's mother and a special-education advocate in Leander.

The New York Times

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

The New Yorker

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's a given that Australian films struggle to get funded, made and seen.

The Guardian

"Our premise is that it's a given that the racial divide has always been here".

The New Yorker

In the academic world, it's a given that a Ph.D. thesis isn't a book.

The New York Times - Books

It's a given that when a superhero movie opens, everybody else takes a rain check.

The Guardian - Film

It's a given that most Americans will change careers multiple times in their lifetimes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place the phrase at the beginning of a paragraph to define the scope and assumptions of the ensuing discussion.

Common error

Do not use this phrase to bypass the need for proof when making a claim that is actually debatable. Labeling a subjective opinion as a "given" can make your writing appear biased or intellectually lazy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's a given that" functions as a prefatory clause or an introductory idiom. It serves to frame the subsequent statement as an undisputed premise. According to Ludwig, it allows a writer to skip the justification of a basic truth to focus on the secondary implications of that truth.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Professional Opinion Pieces

15%

Wiki & General Knowledge

10%

Less common in

Scientific Journals

5%

Legal Documents

3%

Academic Dissertations

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "it's a given that" is a versatile and correct idiomatic expression used to introduce a self-evident truth or a fundamental assumption. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a favorite tool among journalists and essayists for streamlining arguments. While it is highly effective in neutral and professional contexts, writers should be cautious not to use it to dismiss valid counterarguments. When you need to establish a firm starting point for your reader, this phrase acts as a reliable logical anchor that bridges the gap between shared knowledge and new insights.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is widely accepted that

More formal and emphasizes collective agreement among a group or society

it is understood that

Implies an unspoken agreement or a logical conclusion based on context

it is an established fact that

Provides a stronger emphasis on empirical evidence and proven data

it goes without saying that

Suggests the information is so obvious that mentioning it is almost redundant

it is axiomatic that

A very formal, scholarly term for something that is self-evidently true

it is a matter of course that

Indicates that something is a natural and expected part of a standard procedure

there is no doubt that

Expresses total conviction without necessarily labeling the fact as a premise

it is a foregone conclusion that

Specifically refers to an outcome that is certain to happen in the future

everyone knows that

Much more informal and relies on common public knowledge

one can assume that

Frames the statement as a logical starting point rather than an absolute certainty

FAQs

How to use "it's a given that" in a sentence?

You use it to introduce a fact or assumption that is considered undeniable. For example: "In a digital age, "it's a given that" companies check social media during the hiring process."

What can I say instead of "it's a given that"?

Depending on your desired level of formality, you can use phrases like "it goes without saying that", "it is understood that", or "it is an established fact that".

Is "it's a given that" appropriate for academic writing?

While it is grammatically correct, it is slightly idiomatic. In formal academic papers, consider using more precise alternatives like "it is axiomatic that" or "it is widely accepted that".

What is the difference between "it's a given that" and "it's a fact that"?

The phrase "it's a fact that" focuses on empirical truth, while "it's a given that" focuses on a shared premise or a starting assumption that allows the conversation to move forward.