it is commonly thought

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is commonly thought" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it any time you want to indicate that an idea is widely accepted or believed. For example: "It is commonly thought that the human brain is capable of incredible feats."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Met is being celebrated mainly for its engineering, and it is commonly thought that, having heroically dug their giant trench from Paddington to Farringdon, the pioneers weren't too bothered about conceptualising the look of the thing.

The Guardian - Books

Lastly, it is commonly thought that the MMR vaccine litigation had legal aid funding withdrawn.

The Guardian

It is commonly thought that she stopped painting entirely after 1933 and took to gardening.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is commonly thought, for example, that people who eat breakfast are thinner.

The New York Times

It is commonly thought that rare patients with multiple infections display Mendelian primary immunodeficiencies, whereas common infections in otherwise healthy patients reflect polygenic predisposition.

Pathology

It is commonly thought that differentiated neurons do not give rise to new cells, severely limiting the potential for regeneration and repair of the mature nervous system.

Stanford University

It is commonly thought that duct tape was first manufactured in 1942 in an "Army green" color for the military during World War II.

The New York Times

It is commonly thought that the service in military intelligence is free of moral dilemmas and solely contributes to the reduction of violence and harm to innocent people.

The Guardian

It is commonly thought that most of those service jobs are low-wage occupations at restaurants or retail stores, while the manufacturing jobs have higher wages.

Harvard Business Review

The war's effect on oil prices is hard to disentangle from factors like higher global demand and supply disruptions, but it is commonly thought that the war's role has been significant.

The New York Times

Although it is commonly thought that the curse prohibits the Red Sox from winning the World Series, the curse actually says that the Sox are limited to one World Series every 86th year.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is commonly thought" to introduce a statement that reflects a widespread belief or assumption, particularly when you intend to present a counter-argument or alternative perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "it is commonly thought" as a substitute for rigorous evidence or analysis. Always critically evaluate the assertion, even if it's widely accepted, and provide supporting evidence or alternative viewpoints as needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is commonly thought" functions as an introductory device to present a widely held belief or assumption. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correctly used to introduce an idea. It often sets the stage for a discussion or counter-argument.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is commonly thought" serves as an introductory phrase to indicate a widely held belief or assumption. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts. Its frequency is high, particularly in science, news and media. When employing this phrase, be mindful of critically evaluating the underlying assumptions and providing supporting evidence or alternative viewpoints. Consider alternatives such as ""it is widely believed"" or ""it is generally accepted"" to add nuance. Overuse of this pattern without critical thought should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is widely believed

Replaces "commonly thought" with "widely believed", emphasizing the breadth of the belief.

it is generally accepted

Substitutes "commonly thought" with "generally accepted", highlighting the consensus aspect.

it is a common assumption

Replaces the entire phrase with a noun phrase focusing on the nature of the idea as an assumption.

the prevailing wisdom suggests

Uses a more formal tone, indicating the idea is part of the current understanding.

people generally think

Simplifies the phrasing to a more direct statement about what people believe.

the general consensus is

Highlights that the idea is based on agreement among a group.

it's a popular belief

Emphasizes the popularity of the belief among the general public.

most people assume

Focuses on the act of assumption by the majority of people.

it is understood that

Highlights the level of understanding. In this case emphasizes that the concept is already internalized.

the conventional view is

Indicates that the idea aligns with established norms or traditions.

FAQs

How can I use "it is commonly thought" in a sentence?

Use "it is commonly thought" to introduce an idea that is generally accepted, often before presenting a contrasting viewpoint or further analysis. For example, "It is commonly thought that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but recent studies suggest otherwise."

What phrases are similar to "it is commonly thought"?

Alternatives include "it is widely believed", "it is generally accepted", or "it is a common assumption". Choose the phrase that best fits the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it is commonly thought" formal or informal?

"It is commonly thought" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for academic writing, news articles, and professional communication. For more informal settings, you might use phrases like "people generally think".

When should I avoid using "it is commonly thought"?

Avoid using "it is commonly thought" when the statement is based on factual data and not on assumptions. If the statement can be supported by specific evidence, it's better to present the evidence directly rather than framing it as a common belief.