popular knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "popular knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to information or beliefs that are widely accepted or known by the general public. Example: "The idea that the Earth revolves around the Sun is a piece of popular knowledge that has been established for centuries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The idea fascinated people: Whorf's work became popular "knowledge" but his credibility waned from the 60s onward.

The Guardian

Brockhaus maintained an emphasis on popular knowledge and information and an insistence on high-quality illustrations, used lavishly throughout.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The calypso is the repository of that year's distilled popular knowledge and wisdom - the informal "court" before which every powerful figure fears being ultimately judged.

The Guardian

The point of it is pretty simple, to show up the holes in popular knowledge about what kind of state the world is in right now.

Independent

Popular knowledge of that wedding could enhance attention to religion at Jamestown, said James Horn, vice president of research and historical interpretation at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, which manages the park.

The New York Times

Some scholars lament that popular knowledge of colonial-era religion has been flattened into a view of the Virginians as greedy and indolent, while later colonists in Plymouth, Mass., were pious and devout.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

This contribution presents an impact analysis of the most popular knowledge-based tool, AskNature, in the form of an outcome-based study.

Design Studies

It was however difficult as some of the popular knowledge-bases like STITCH, the resource for chemical protein interaction networks (57), did not provide any information on the small molecules which bind the EBOV protein sequences, or those binding other similar proteins.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

As the Android now becomes more popular that knowledge becomes more and more relevant – it's not that we apply it every day, but when (if) the time comes we are prepared!

The Guardian

Taking this into account, we performed an ethnobotanical study in a Catalan district of the eastern Pyrenees (northeast Iberian Peninsula), with the purpose of assessing popular plant knowledge and use.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Instructors whose routines don't stand up to popular fitness knowledge aren't very popular with participants, and sooner or later they aren't teaching their classes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing scientific topics, clarify whether you are referring to "popular knowledge" or established scientific findings to avoid confusion and maintain accuracy.

Common error

Avoid treating "popular knowledge" as inherently accurate or reliable. Always verify information with credible sources, as widespread belief does not guarantee validity. Be especially careful when discussing scientific or technical topics.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "popular knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It refers to the body of information, beliefs, or understandings widely held by the general public.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

38%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "popular knowledge" is a noun phrase that describes the information, beliefs, and understandings widely held by the general public. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The phrase sees usage across various contexts, especially in news and media and scientific publications. When using the phrase, it's important to distinguish between "popular knowledge" and verified facts. Common alternatives include "common knowledge" and "public understanding". Avoid assuming that "popular knowledge" is always accurate, and always verify information with credible sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

common knowledge

Replaces "popular" with "common", indicating widespread awareness.

public understanding

Shifts focus to the public's comprehension of a subject.

prevailing wisdom

Emphasizes the generally accepted beliefs or ideas.

generally accepted knowledge

Highlights broad agreement on a particular body of information.

widely held beliefs

Focuses on beliefs rather than factual information.

conventional wisdom

Implies knowledge that is well-established and perhaps unquestioned.

collective knowledge

Highlights the shared nature of the knowledge.

mainstream understanding

Suggests knowledge that is part of the dominant perspective.

accepted lore

Implies a body of traditional knowledge.

prevailing view

Emphasizes the dominant perspective or opinion.

FAQs

How can I use "popular knowledge" in a sentence?

You can use "popular knowledge" to describe beliefs or information generally known or accepted by the public. For example, "Contrary to "popular knowledge", the Earth is not perfectly round."

What's a good alternative to "popular knowledge"?

Depending on the context, you can use "common knowledge", "public understanding", or "conventional wisdom" as alternatives to "popular knowledge".

Is "popular knowledge" the same as "scientific knowledge"?

No, "popular knowledge" refers to beliefs or information widely held by the public, while "scientific knowledge" is based on evidence and rigorous testing. They can sometimes conflict, and it's important to distinguish between them.

When is it appropriate to use the term "popular knowledge"?

Use "popular knowledge" when you want to emphasize that a particular belief or piece of information is widespread among the general public, even if it may not be entirely accurate or scientifically proven.