it is commonly understood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is commonly understood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a particular idea or concept is widely accepted or recognized by a group of people. Example: "In the field of psychology, it is commonly understood that early childhood experiences can significantly impact adult behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"It is commonly understood to be constitutive of that which touches an object, such as conservation and preservation activity," he said.

The New York Times

The finding, Mr. Grafton said, means that Gutenberg was not the inventor of movable type in the way it is commonly understood: as bits of identical type that are created from metal molds.

The New York Times - Arts

If Ms. Weihs's illustrations exemplify moodiness as it is commonly understood, so too do the watercolor illustrations of Jean Tseng, an American who was born in Taiwan in 1940, and Mou-sien Tseng, an American who was born in Taiwan in 1936.

The New York Times

Church leaders printed up a sheet of talking points to help staff members deflect the charge that Bell was a universalist, because many Christians consider universalism heretical: "Love Wins" does not promote universalism as it is commonly understood (all will be saved, regardless of their faith), so we ask that you would please avoid using that term.

The New Yorker

It is commonly understood that scientific publications and patents can be scanned in order to identify promising technologies.

European Journal of Futures Research

It is commonly understood that "$1 spent on risk reduction saves between $5 and $10 in economic losses from disasters".

Materials Today: Proceedings

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

That's not a restaurant as it's commonly understood; it's Brigadoon".

The New Yorker

"I've been teaching in this field for 30 years, and even back then it was commonly understood that quotas were a bad idea," Professor Walker said.

The New York Times

Although the official cause of his death was respiratory complications, it was commonly understood that he died of a broken heart.

The New Yorker

In the "American Idol" lexicon, it's probably better to be "nice" than "pitchy" -- the judges' diplomatic term for off key -- but it's commonly understood that nice is not nearly enough.

The New York Times

Thomas Pynchon, by contrast, continues to embrace a version of 60s-ness as it's commonly understood, which has interesting effects on the authority he wields as America's senior postmodernist writer.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, ensure that the information you are presenting is actually commonly understood within your target audience. Overusing it can make your writing sound condescending or presumptuous.

Common error

Avoid using "it is commonly understood" to introduce concepts or facts that are not universally known or accepted within your audience. This can lead to confusion or disagreement, undermining your credibility. Instead, provide context or evidence to support your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is commonly understood" functions as an introductory clause used to frame statements or introduce established knowledge. This construction aims to create a shared understanding between the writer and the reader, setting the stage for further discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalent use in introducing widely accepted ideas.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is commonly understood" serves as a crucial tool for establishing common ground in writing. Ludwig AI underlines that it's grammatically correct and widely used to introduce generally accepted concepts. However, it's important to accurately gauge what is truly "commonly understood" by your audience to avoid miscommunication or condescension. Alternatives like "it is generally accepted" or "it is widely recognized" can be used for variety while maintaining clarity. Its frequent appearance in scientific and news media contexts shows its versatility in both formal and neutral registers. Ultimately, using this phrase effectively requires a careful consideration of your audience's knowledge and expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is generally accepted

Replaces "commonly understood" with "generally accepted", emphasizing widespread agreement.

it is widely recognized

Substitutes "commonly understood" with "widely recognized", highlighting broad awareness.

it is well-known

Uses "well-known" instead of "commonly understood", indicating common knowledge.

it is a common belief

Replaces the entire phrase to focus on the prevalence of a particular belief.

it is a standard assumption

Indicates a default assumption made by many.

it is a shared understanding

Emphasizes the collective nature of the understanding.

everyone knows

Informal way of saying something is commonly understood.

it's no secret that

Uses a more emphatic tone to imply common knowledge.

it is conventionally accepted

Highlights the conventional nature of the acceptance.

the general consensus is

Focuses on the agreement among people about a particular idea.

FAQs

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

Use "it is commonly understood" to introduce a widely accepted fact or concept, setting the stage for further discussion. For instance, "It is commonly understood that regular exercise benefits overall health."

What are some alternatives to "it is commonly understood"?

You can use alternatives like "it is generally accepted", "it is widely recognized", or "it is well-known depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "it is commonly understood" in formal writing?

Yes, "it is commonly understood" is suitable for formal writing as it's a clear and professional way to introduce established knowledge or assumptions. However, ensure the information truly is commonly understood by your intended audience.

What's the difference between "it is commonly understood" and "it is generally known"?

"It is commonly understood" implies a shared comprehension or agreement, while "it is generally known" simply indicates that something is widely recognized as a fact. The former emphasizes understanding, whereas the latter focuses on awareness.