prevailing knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prevailing knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the most widely accepted or dominant understanding or information on a particular subject at a given time. Example: "In the field of climate science, prevailing knowledge suggests that human activity is a significant contributor to global warming."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Furthermore, Sonmez asserts, by repetition, learners can make sense of the new information and recover prevailing knowledge from their memory.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

And then, the prevailing knowledge and lore in our whole culture can shift away from gimmicky, quick-fix nonsense, to a reliable, actionable, shareable truth.

Huffington Post

Consistent with prevailing knowledge about wolf-prey systems, for much of the year wolves of coastal BC are closely tied to ungulate prey.

BMC Ecology

The possibility that divergent modes of PGC specification could exist within an individual phylum, such as amphibians, was difficult to reconcile amidst prevailing knowledge of the time.

Development (Cambridge)

However, overrepresentation of some of the TFBS, such as GATA, BTBF, NF Kappa B – appear to be consistent with prevailing knowledge about the subtypes and their ER/PR or Her2 status.

BMC Genomics

This study is therefore conducted with the aim of assessing the prevailing knowledge about menstruation and its hygienic management, identifying factors that affect hygienic management of menstruation and to assessing the associated consequences of menstruation related problems on school attendance and dropout among adolescent school girls.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Yet, impeded by trade winds of prevailing opinion, knowledge of West Indian abortifacients never flowed into Europe.

Harvard University

Where there is no prevailing prior knowledge on the site, a non-informative prior distribution (e.g., uniform prior distribution) is used to reflect quantitatively the engineering common sense and judgment.

Engineering Geology

In the past, personal experience has been the prevailing source of knowledge whilst more recently this knowledge has been amended, sometimes to a greater extent, by the collective experience recorded in scientific publications.

Insights into Imaging

While both functional guild and feeding style classifications are unavoidably subjective to some degree, every effort was made to designate these species according to the prevailing understanding and knowledge in the entomological community.

Plosone

While participants generally correctly identified sources of outdoor air pollution, there were occasions when it was evident that the knowledge prevailing in these communities was flawed.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prevailing knowledge" to indicate the generally accepted understanding within a specific field or context. Be mindful of the potential for this knowledge to evolve over time.

Common error

Avoid treating "prevailing knowledge" as immutable truth. Scientific understanding and societal beliefs are subject to change as new evidence emerges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevailing knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "prevailing" modifies the noun "knowledge". It describes the current, most accepted, or dominant understanding of a particular subject, theory, or concept. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

71%

News & Media

14%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prevailing knowledge" is a grammatically correct and usable term that refers to the current and most widely accepted information on a particular topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's employed across diverse fields, particularly within scientific, academic, and news contexts. While not overly common, "prevailing knowledge" serves as a valuable tool for establishing a baseline understanding before introducing new ideas, with potential synonyms including "current understanding" and "accepted wisdom". Remember to avoid treating it as immutable truth, as knowledge evolves with ongoing discoveries and insights.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

current understanding

Focuses on the present comprehension of a topic.

accepted wisdom

Highlights the widespread belief within a particular field.

established knowledge

Emphasizes the long-standing nature of the information.

dominant theory

Refers to the most influential explanation within a specific domain.

conventional wisdom

Indicates a commonly held belief, often without critical examination.

reigning paradigm

Highlights the current framework for understanding a subject.

general consensus

Implies a broad agreement on a particular point.

common knowledge

Refers to information that is widely known and accepted.

prevailing view

Emphasizes the widespread opinion or perspective.

contemporary thinking

Highlights the current state of thought on a subject.

FAQs

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

You can use "prevailing knowledge" to refer to the current understanding or widely accepted information on a particular subject. For example: "According to the prevailing knowledge, regular exercise is beneficial for heart health."

What are some alternatives to "prevailing knowledge"?

Some alternatives include "current understanding", "accepted wisdom", or "established knowledge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to challenge "prevailing knowledge"?

Yes, challenging "prevailing knowledge" is a crucial part of progress in many fields. Scientific advancements and societal shifts often stem from questioning established beliefs and seeking new evidence.

What's the difference between "prevailing knowledge" and "common knowledge"?

"Prevailing knowledge" refers to the dominant or most accepted understanding within a specific field, while "common knowledge" is information that is widely known and generally accepted by the public.