mostly accepted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly accepted" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is generally or widely accepted, but perhaps not universally accepted. Example: "The theory of evolution is mostly accepted by the scientific community, but there are still some who disagree with it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Boundaries here seem mostly accepted.

The New York Times - Arts

They were mostly accepted by their families, but their relationship was not openly discussed.

The New York Times

If we've mostly accepted the notion that the thriller belongs to Hollywood, this is our loss.

The New Yorker

It didn't matter that New York was a city of privileges bestowed of withheld, which New Yorkers knew only too well and mostly accepted.

The New York Times

His family have, mostly, accepted his choices, but he agrees that this point of friction over gender pronouns reveals his parents' underlying anxieties.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But in Latvia, where the government laid off a third of its civil servants, slashed wages for the rest and sharply reduced support for hospitals, people mostly accepted the bitter medicine.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

The older, longtime attendees are mostly accepting.

The New York Times

ExxonMobil questions the science; BP and Royal Dutch/ Shell mostly accept it.

The New York Times - Science

The migrant workers and the poor mostly accept that life is unfair, at least for now.

The New York Times

McCullough mostly accepts at face value Adams's repeated protestations that he detested the fakery of political life.

The New Yorker

The bomb of her anger at what is imposed on her and which she mostly accepts uncritically.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "mostly accepted", consider specifying by whom the subject is accepted. This provides useful context and strengthens your statement. For example, "mostly accepted by scientists".

Common error

Avoid using "mostly accepted" when there is significant or vocal opposition. In such cases, consider alternatives like "debated" or "contested" to more accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly accepted" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun (often an idea, theory, or practice) to indicate the extent to which it is acknowledged or agreed upon. As Ludwig AI notes, it indicates something is generally accepted but not universally so.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mostly accepted" is a valuable tool for expressing degrees of consensus. As the Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes general agreement without implying universality. This is particularly important in academic, scientific, and journalistic writing where precision is key. Usage examples demonstrate its application across various fields, highlighting its versatility. When employing this phrase, be mindful of specifying who is doing the accepting to provide clearer context and avoid overstating agreement in contentious situations. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately communicate the status of ideas and practices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accepted for the most part

Directly conveys that the majority accepts the idea.

largely agreed upon

Emphasizes a significant level of agreement, but not necessarily complete consensus.

mostly agreed with

Highlights the act of agreeing rather than the state of being accepted.

generally recognized

Highlights widespread acknowledgement or understanding.

widely acknowledged

Focuses on broad acceptance or recognition, especially in a specific field.

predominantly endorsed

Stresses that support is more frequent than opposition.

largely adopted

Suggests the idea or practice has been taken up by many.

commonly believed

Implies a widespread acceptance as truth or fact.

substantially approved

Suggests significant approval, though perhaps with some reservations.

generally embraced

Implies enthusiastic acceptance and support.

FAQs

How can I use "mostly accepted" in a sentence?

You can use "mostly accepted" to describe ideas or theories that are widely recognized but not universally agreed upon. For example: "The theory is "mostly accepted" within the scientific community, although some researchers have expressed concerns".

What are some alternatives to "mostly accepted"?

Alternatives include "largely agreed upon", "generally recognized", or "widely acknowledged" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "mostly accepted" grammatically correct?

Yes, "mostly accepted" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate a widespread but not total consensus.

What's the difference between "mostly accepted" and "universally accepted"?

"Mostly accepted" implies that there is a general agreement with some exceptions, while "universally accepted" suggests complete agreement without any dissent.