it was generally assumed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was generally assumed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a common belief or understanding that was held by a group of people in the past. Example: "In the early 20th century, it was generally assumed that the earth was the center of the universe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Following the success of The New Life, he agreed to sell a Kurdish newspaper on the streets after the bombing of its offices by, it was generally assumed, government agencies.

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Shear said it was "generally assumed on Wall Street that assistance would be provided in a financial emergency".

The New York Times

It was generally assumed that, in the film, Taylor and Richard Burton were simply re-enacting an ordinary evening at home.

The Guardian

In 1946, when Woman's Hour began, it was generally assumed that it would do on the radio what the women's magazines did in print.

The Guardian

When blood banks nationwide started screening for the disease, in 2007, it was generally assumed that immigrants and their children were the only people at risk.

The New Yorker

Prior to educational oversight, it was generally assumed that every private college was bogus because of the negative press and damaging comments of leading politicians.

The Guardian

It was generally assumed that most of the offenders were well-meaning people who broke the rules out of weakness, not out of cruelty or cynicism.

The New York Times

Though their interest could perhaps have been literary, it was generally assumed that they had paid to prevent details of their own "saunterings" from appearing in print.

The New Yorker

Although Valentino had repeatedly declined to comment on his widely expected departure, it was generally assumed that Permira would look for younger talent, perhaps with Valentino as a consultant.

The New York Times

Given the widespread introductions of chickens (and other commensals such as the Pacific rat Rattus exulans) by the Polynesians, it was generally assumed that the same had happened when the Polynesians colonized New Zealand in the thirteenth century.

The Guardian

It was generally assumed by journalists that there would be hard-liners in the government, including Murillo Karam loyalists, who would try to discredit the experts and the report and to defend the "Historical Truth" as far as they could.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was generally assumed" to introduce a viewpoint that was once widely accepted but may now be questioned or disproven. This sets the stage for presenting new information or a contrasting perspective.

Common error

While "it was generally assumed" is acceptable, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing with an active voice construction when possible for a more direct and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

It was generally assumed functions as an introductory phrase to present a common belief or premise that was prevalent at a specific point in time. This phrase often precedes a contrasting viewpoint or new information. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was generally assumed" is a versatile phrase used to introduce beliefs or assumptions that were once commonly held. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, and its prevalence across diverse sources like news, science, and encyclopedias indicates its widespread use. While semantically similar alternatives like "it was widely believed" and "it was commonly thought" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using this phrase, consider whether the assumption still holds true or if you're setting up a contrasting viewpoint. Be mindful of overusing passive voice and aim for a more direct style where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the prevailing assumption was

Substitutes "view" with "assumption", maintaining the formal tone and focusing on the underlying premise.

it was widely believed

Replaces "assumed" with "believed", emphasizing a broader acceptance.

it was commonly thought

Substitutes "assumed" with "thought", focusing on a prevalent idea.

it was broadly accepted

Replaces "generally assumed" with "broadly accepted", suggesting wide agreement.

it was a widespread belief

Changes the structure to emphasize the belief's prevalence.

the prevailing view was

Uses a more formal tone, highlighting the dominant perspective.

the common understanding was

Focuses on the shared comprehension of a situation.

it was a common understanding

Highlights that the assumption was a shared comprehension between individuals.

it was taken for granted

Indicates that something was accepted without question.

people commonly believed

Shifts the focus to the people who held the belief.

FAQs

What's a good way to start a sentence with "it was generally assumed"?

You can use "it was generally assumed" to introduce a premise, theory, or understanding that was widely accepted at some point. For example, "It was generally assumed that the Earth was flat until proven otherwise."

Which is more appropriate, "it was generally assumed" or "it is generally assumed"?

"It was generally assumed" indicates something believed in the past, while "it is generally assumed" indicates a current belief. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timeframe you're discussing. For expressing something still believed use "it is generally assumed".

What can I say instead of "it was generally assumed" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, try "the prevailing assumption was", "the consensus was", or "it was the established view". Remember to adjust your word choice to fit the overall tone and audience.

How does "it was generally assumed" differ from "it was widely known"?

"It was generally assumed" implies a belief or assumption, while "it was widely known" suggests a fact or established piece of information. "Assumed" indicates a degree of uncertainty or lack of proof that's not present with "known".