more or less universal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more or less universal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is generally applicable or accepted, though not without exceptions. Example: "The concept of fairness is more or less universal across different cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Kissing is more or less universal.

The New York Times

Three centuries ago, chronic malnutrition was more or less universal.

The Economist

But agreement is more or less universal about its powerful narrative voice.

The Guardian - Books

SARS scared off many would-be travelers across the globe, and economic woes were more or less universal all year.

The New York Times - Travel

Friends texted me advice, which was more or less universal: put your husband on speed dial just in case.

The New York Times

MITT ROMNEY unveiled his long-awaited foreign-policy speech on Monday, to more or less universal raspberries.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

And there's another more-or-less universal truth: the perennial botheration – particularly sharp over the Christmas period – of a family just rubbing along together.

The Guardian - Books

They've gained access to the medical system, and no political force will dare take it away from them.This is basically an assent to William Saletan's column in Slate arguing that Democrats should regard the passage of a more-or-less universal health-care coverage bill as a victory, even if it helped cost them the election.

The Economist

Richard Hunt, who made the original FOI request, said outside the hearing: "I think among football fans it's more or less a universal concern.

The Guardian - Sport

As such, exact resemblance partitions the set of tropes into mutually excluding and non-overlapping classes; classes functioning more or less as the traditional universal was supposed to.

SEP

"Although this had not been the solution first envisaged by the British government in its wish to deal with this particular aspect of the past, nevertheless it was intended to provide a solution that worked in practice even if more slowly and in a more cumbersome and less universal way than had been wished by those negotiating on behalf of Sinn Féin".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more or less universal" to convey that something applies broadly but may have exceptions. For example, "The need for social connection is a "more or less universal" human trait."

Common error

Avoid using "more or less universal" when referring to something that is truly and completely universal. This phrase indicates near universality, not absolute universality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more or less universal" functions as a degree modifier, specifically indicating the extent to which something is universal. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in qualifying the universality of beliefs, practices, or characteristics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more or less universal" is a versatile degree modifier used to describe something that is generally, but not absolutely, applicable. According to Ludwig, it functions to qualify universality, acknowledging potential exceptions. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news and media to scientific discussions. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with your intended meaning of near universality rather than absolute completeness. If a completely universal phenomenon is intended, consider alternatives such as "completely universal" to remove ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually universal

Emphasizes near-complete universality, implying very few exceptions.

almost universal

Suggests a high degree of universality, but acknowledges the possibility of some exceptions.

generally widespread

Focuses on the broad distribution of something, rather than absolute universality.

largely common

Indicates that something is common in most cases, though not necessarily everywhere.

widely accepted

Highlights the broad acceptance of an idea or practice, suggesting agreement rather than ubiquity.

mostly prevalent

Implies a high degree of prevalence, suggesting that something is found in most situations.

broadly applicable

Emphasizes the wide range of situations in which something can be used or applied.

nearly ubiquitous

Implies a state of being almost everywhere at the same time.

fairly typical

Suggests that something is representative of a general pattern or standard.

commonly encountered

Highlights the frequency with which something is observed or experienced.

FAQs

How can I use "more or less universal" in a sentence?

You can use "more or less universal" to describe something that is generally true or applicable, but not in every single case. For instance, "The desire for happiness is a "more or less universal" human aspiration."

What phrases are similar to "more or less universal"?

Alternatives include "virtually universal", "almost universal", or "generally widespread". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "more or less universal"?

While "universal" alone suggests completeness, "more or less universal" acknowledges possible exceptions, adding nuance and precision. It's not inherently redundant, but context matters.

Which is more accurate, "more or less universal" or "completely universal"?

"Completely universal" implies no exceptions, while "more or less universal" suggests very few exceptions. Use "completely universal" only when something applies without any deviations.