it's common knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it's common knowledge' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something that is generally understood either due to widespread belief or familiarity. For example, "It's common knowledge that Santa Claus is not real."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

It's common knowledge, let's not beat around the bush," Mr Varoufakis told reporters in Brussels.

BBC

It's common knowledge now that, even despite its rapid growth, SoundCloud has never been a profitable enterprise.

Vice

It's common knowledge that the odds are heavily stacked in the house's favor.

Huffington Post

"It's common knowledge, Judy," he said.

The New York Times

It's common knowledge that the Tories don't want electoral reform.

The Guardian

It's common knowledge that newspapers are closing down.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Dr. Borukhova's relatives said it was common knowledge in their community.

The New York Times

However, it was common knowledge that McClaren was the FA's second choice behind the Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari.

The Guardian - Sport

It is common knowledge that the Olympics are President Putin's pet project.

Huffington Post

It was common knowledge".

The New York Times

In 1599, it was common knowledge.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's common knowledge" to introduce a fact or idea that most people are expected to know to provide context for your argument or statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it's common knowledge" as a substitute for providing evidence or explanation, especially when writing for specialized audiences or about niche topics.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's common knowledge" functions as an introductory device to signal that the following statement is widely known or accepted. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it helps to establish a shared understanding between the writer and the reader, setting the stage for further discussion or analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's common knowledge" is a phrase used to introduce a statement as something widely known or accepted. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While frequently employed, it is crucial to ensure that the declared 'common knowledge' genuinely reflects shared understanding to maintain credibility. Alternatives like "it is widely known" or "everybody knows" can offer nuanced substitutions depending on context and formality. While being "common knowledge", remember to provide sources and evidence, especially when writing for specialized audiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is widely known

Replaces "common knowledge" with "widely known", emphasizing the extent of awareness.

it's generally understood

Focuses on the understanding rather than just the knowledge of something.

everybody knows

A more informal way to express that something is common knowledge.

it's a well-known fact

Emphasizes the factual nature of the common knowledge.

it's public knowledge

Indicates that the information is accessible to everyone.

it's no secret that

Highlights the lack of confidentiality surrounding the information.

it's an open secret

Suggests that the information is technically not secret, but widely acknowledged.

it's universally accepted

Stresses the widespread agreement on a particular piece of information.

it's a given

Implies that the information is so widely accepted it doesn't need to be stated.

it goes without saying

Suggests the information is so obvious it need not be mentioned.

FAQs

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

You can use "it's common knowledge" to introduce a fact that is widely known and accepted. For example, "It's common knowledge that the Earth is round".

What are some alternatives to saying "it's common knowledge"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it is widely known", "it's generally understood", or "everybody knows" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "it's common knowledge" or just state the fact directly?

Whether to use "it's common knowledge" depends on your audience and purpose. Using the phrase can soften the introduction of a potentially controversial or surprising fact, but stating the fact directly can be more concise and impactful if the audience is already familiar with the information.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "it's common knowledge"?

It's inappropriate to use the phrase when introducing information that is not, in fact, widely known or accepted, or when attempting to assert something as fact without providing evidence. Using the phrase in these scenarios can undermine your credibility.