it is a matter of common knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is a matter of common knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is widely known or accepted by most people. Example: "It is a matter of common knowledge that exercise is beneficial for health."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It is a matter of common knowledge that it is virtually impossible for a woman of that age to find satisfactory employment, much less a position comparable to that which plaintiff enjoyed at the time of her retirement...

Harvard University

It is a matter of common knowledge that some states have, in the past, made the granting of charters to nonresidents for companies, which purpose transacting business wholly without the state of incorporation, an important source of revenue.

Cornell University

." It is a matter of common knowledge that on some occasions a district judge will simply take findings of fact and conclusions of law prepared by the party whom the judge has indicated at the close of trial shall prevail and without alteration adopt them as his own.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

26 1 This infection touched the loyalty of the legions also and of the auxiliaries, who were already unsettled, now that it was a matter of common knowledge that the army in Germany was disaffected.

University of Chicago

Again, as is a matter of common knowledge, a prison, with its thriving trade in illegal substances, is really the last place an addict should be sent.

Independent

Whereas deflagration-to-detonation transition in confined systems is a matter of common knowledge, feasibility of the transition in unconfined space is still a matter of controversy.

Combustion and Flame

That this can be done effectively and safely has been incontrovertibly demonstrated over a period of a good many years and is a matter of common knowledge of which this Court takes judicial notice.

Harvard University

THE PRESIDENT: That's a matter of common knowledge.

Yale University

The possibility of a small child choking on nearly all food items is, or should be, a matter of common knowledge to all adults.

Harvard University

He was well aware that his unfaithfulness to his wife was a matter of common knowledge; if, then, there was any suspicion that she had been murdered, there would also be suspicion that he was the murderer.

The New Yorker

He said he intended to ask Secretary of State Colin L. Powell to issue a supplemental report before the next regular report this fall, "just to highlight the obvious facts that are a matter of common knowledge and not in dispute".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase when introducing novel or contentious ideas. Its purpose is to highlight established understanding, not to introduce new perspectives.

Common error

Don't overuse "it is a matter of common knowledge" as it can make your writing sound repetitive and pompous. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "everyone knows" or "it is widely known" depending on the level of formality required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is a matter of common knowledge" serves as an introductory device. It prefaces a statement, suggesting that the information being presented is already widely understood or accepted. Ludwig AI confirms this usage pattern.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is a matter of common knowledge" is a phrase used to introduce information widely accepted and understood. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts including academic, news, and professional settings. While it's a useful phrase, be mindful of overuse and consider synonyms like "it is common knowledge" or "everyone knows" to add variety to your writing. Remember, the phrase is most effective when introducing established ideas, not novel concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is common knowledge

Omits "a matter of", simplifying the phrase while retaining its core meaning.

everyone knows

Replaces the formal structure with a direct and universally understood statement.

it is widely known

Substitutes "common knowledge" with a synonymous expression, preserving formality.

it's a well-known fact

Emphasizes the factual nature of the information being presented as common knowledge.

it goes without saying

Suggests the information is so obvious it doesn't need explicit statement.

it is generally accepted

Focuses on the broad agreement surrounding the information.

as everyone is aware

Directly addresses the audience assuming their familiarity with the subject.

it's no secret that

Implies that although technically known, the information might not be widely discussed.

it is understood that

Highlights a tacit agreement or assumption regarding the information.

the public is aware

Focuses on public consciousness of the information, useful in contexts involving general awareness.

FAQs

What does "it is a matter of common knowledge" mean?

The phrase "it is a matter of common knowledge" signifies that something is widely known and generally accepted as fact by most people. It's used to introduce information considered obvious or well-established.

How can I use "it is a matter of common knowledge" in a sentence?

You can use "it is a matter of common knowledge" to preface a statement that you believe is generally understood. For example, "It is a matter of common knowledge that regular exercise is beneficial for overall health."

What can I say instead of "it is a matter of common knowledge"?

You can use alternatives like "it is common knowledge", "everyone knows", or "it is widely known" to express that something is generally understood.

Is it appropriate to use "it is a matter of common knowledge" in formal writing?

Yes, "it is a matter of common knowledge" is suitable for formal writing. However, depending on the context, consider using more concise alternatives like "it is widely known" or "it is generally accepted" to maintain clarity and avoid sounding verbose.