it is often said

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression 'it is often said' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to introduce something that is commonly believed or accepted, such as a proverb or saying. For example: "It is often said that 'Where there's a will, there's a way' - meaning that if you have enough determination and motivation, you can achieve anything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

THE American Dream, it is often said, is losing its allure.

The Economist

AMERICA, it is often said, has a history-sized hole in its imagination.

The Economist

It is often said that doctors are only human.

Medical Journal Armed Forces India

STARS are born, it is often said.

The New York Times

Childhood, it is often said, is a recent invention.

The New York Times - Arts

It is often said that Wenger is a teacher.

The New York Times - Sports

It is often said that video games are recession-proof.

The Economist

It is often said that charity begins at home.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is often said "humans must have final authority over the automation," especially when human-centered automation is sought.

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics

It is often said that newspapers no longer matter.

The New York Times

"It is often said that children are watching.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is often said" to introduce a widely accepted idea or common knowledge to provide context or support an argument. This helps to establish a shared understanding with your audience.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "it is often said". This can make your writing repetitive and less engaging. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is often said" functions as an introductory device, signaling that the following statement is a generally accepted belief or common knowledge. It serves to contextualize information and establish a shared understanding with the audience, as demonstrated in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is often said" is a versatile phrase used to introduce widely accepted ideas or common knowledge across various domains. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and effective for establishing a shared understanding. While frequently found in news and media, it also appears in academic and scientific writing. When using this phrase, it is best practice to introduce context or support an argument. Overusing it consecutively can diminish writing quality. Alternatives like ""it is frequently stated"" or ""it is widely believed"" can provide variation. The phrase maintains a neutral tone and serves to connect the speaker or writer with the audience through shared knowledge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is frequently stated

Replaces "often" with "frequently", indicating a high occurrence but maintaining a formal tone.

it is widely believed

Shifts the focus to belief rather than statement, implying broad acceptance.

it is commonly known

Suggests the information is general knowledge, lessening the need for citation.

as the saying goes

Specifically introduces a proverb or traditional saying.

it's a common saying

More informal way to introduce a well-known phrase.

people often say

Attributes the saying to a general group of people, making it less formal.

the common wisdom is

Highlights that what follows is considered traditional or accepted knowledge.

it's often thought

Emphasizes the thinking process behind the common idea, rather than the verbal expression.

the general consensus is

Indicates a collective agreement or opinion on a matter.

a popular notion suggests

Introduces an idea that is generally liked or favored, even if not definitively proven.

FAQs

How can I use "it is often said" in a sentence?

Use "it is often said" to introduce a generally accepted idea or common belief. For example, "It is often said that honesty is the best policy."

What are some alternatives to "it is often said"?

You can use alternatives like "it is frequently stated", "it is widely believed", or "as the saying goes" depending on the context.

Is "it is often said" formal or informal?

"It is often said" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal writing. However, more formal alternatives exist, such as "it is frequently stated".

What is the purpose of using "it is often said"?

The purpose of using "it is often said" is to introduce a concept or idea that is widely accepted or commonly known, providing a shared understanding with the reader or listener.