not universally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not universally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not apply to all cases or situations, suggesting variability or exceptions. Example: "The theory is accepted by many scientists, but it is not universally acknowledged in the academic community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was not universally liked.

The Economist

Basquiat is not universally respected.

The Guardian - Arts

Commonplace, but not universally accepted.

The New York Times

They're just not universally known.

The New York Times

Ftorek is not universally disliked.

The New York Times - Sports

The Rooney Rule is not universally appreciated.

Independent

That view is not universally held, however.

The New York Times

Bar codes are not universally popular.

The New York Times - Arts

That opinion, however, is not universally held.

The New York Times

But tariff rates are not universally low.

The Economist

His certainty is not universally shared.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not universally", ensure the context clearly defines what is not universally accepted, understood, or applied. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "not universally" as a blanket statement without providing specific examples or evidence. Instead, qualify the statement by indicating in which contexts or among which groups something is not universal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not universally" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically qualifying a verb or adjective to indicate a lack of universal application or acceptance. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

14%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "not universally" serves to qualify statements, indicating a lack of complete or widespread acceptance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, it provides a nuanced perspective by acknowledging exceptions. When using this phrase, it's important to provide clarifying details to avoid overgeneralization and ensure clear communication. Alternatives like "not generally" and "not widely" offer similar but subtly different meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not generally

Emphasizes a lack of commonality or widespread occurrence.

not widely

Highlights the limited extent or scope of something.

not always

Focuses on the absence of consistent or invariable presence.

not entirely

Suggests partial rather than complete agreement or fulfillment.

not completely

Similar to 'not entirely', indicating less than full extent.

not exclusively

Indicates that something is not limited to a particular case or group.

not necessarily

Implies that something is not an inevitable or required condition.

not uniformly

Focuses on the lack of consistency or sameness across instances.

not across the board

Suggests that something does not apply to all members of a group or category.

not without exception

Acknowledges the existence of exceptions to a general rule or statement.

FAQs

How can I use "not universally" in a sentence?

You can use "not universally" to express that an idea, belief, or practice is not accepted or shared by everyone. For example, "While the new policy is appreciated by some, it is "not universally" supported by the staff".

What are some alternatives to "not universally"?

Alternatives include "not generally", "not widely", or "not always". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "not universally accepted" or "not widely accepted"?

Both are correct, but "not universally accepted" implies a stronger sense of division or disagreement, while "not widely accepted" suggests a lack of broad acceptance. The better choice depends on the degree of acceptance you want to convey.

What does it mean when something is described as "not universally true"?

It means that the statement is not true in all cases or situations; there are exceptions. For example, "While experience is often valuable, it's "not universally" true that more experience always leads to better outcomes".