prevailing notion

USAGE SUMMARY

"prevailing notion" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to commonly accepted beliefs or ideas that are widely held by a group of people. Example: "In our society, the prevailing notion is that success is measured by wealth and material possessions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Women from the global north benefit from a policy in which the prevailing notion of fairness doesn't target them.

The Guardian - Opinion

To accomplish that, he and his associates blew up the prevailing notion of rock tours, built on the corny old Vaudeville model where bands simply ran through their hits.

The Guardian - Film

Investigators who developed the first generation of supervised prognostic and treatment response predictors started with the then prevailing notion that breast cancer is a single disease, and all subtypes of breast cancer were included in the analysis.

Genome Medicine

In the early nineteen-hundreds, the British explorer Percy Harrison Fawcett challenged this prevailing notion.

The New Yorker

The prevailing notion of "The Automatic Millionaire" is that you cannot even trust yourself.

The New York Times

The prevailing notion is that deal was the Knicks' best chance to trade Ewing.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

with prevailing notions whatever they be.

Yale University

The Lime Street experiment had demolished prevailing notions about fire behavior.

The New Yorker

As a counterblast to prevailing notions about age, there is scarcely anything to compare.

Independent

How much of this perception is tied to prevailing notions about the different cultures that produced the dancers?

The New York Times - Arts

This book is the first devoted to modern biology's innovators and iconoclasts: men and women who challenged prevailing notions in their fields.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prevailing notion" to introduce a concept that you intend to challenge or provide an alternative perspective on.

Common error

Avoid presenting a belief held only within a small group or subculture as the "prevailing notion". This can weaken your argument and misrepresent the broader context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevailing notion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces a widely accepted idea or belief, often setting the stage for further discussion or analysis. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

33%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prevailing notion" is a grammatically sound and commonly used noun phrase, as Ludwig AI indicates. It functions to introduce a widely accepted belief or idea, often serving as a starting point for discussion or critique. Its prevalence in News & Media and Academia suggests its versatility across both general and formal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you are accurately representing a genuinely widespread belief, and consider it as an opportunity to introduce a counter-argument or nuanced perspective. Alternative phrases such as "common belief" or "accepted wisdom" can offer slight shifts in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

common belief

Replaces "notion" with "belief", focusing on the aspect of conviction.

accepted wisdom

Emphasizes the idea's status as established and generally agreed upon.

dominant idea

Highlights the idea's prominence and influence.

general consensus

Focuses on the agreement among a group of people.

widespread assumption

Emphasizes the idea as a presupposition held by many.

popular opinion

Highlights the idea's acceptance by the general public.

conventional view

Stresses the idea's conformity to established norms.

established idea

Focuses on the idea's long-standing presence and recognition.

current thinking

Highlights the idea's relevance to the present time.

mainstream thought

Emphasizes the idea's position within the dominant ideology.

FAQs

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

You can use "prevailing notion" to introduce a commonly accepted idea or belief before discussing it. For example, "The "prevailing notion" is that hard work always leads to success, but this isn't always the case."

What phrases are similar to "prevailing notion"?

Similar phrases include "common belief", "accepted wisdom", and "dominant idea". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "prevailing notion" in academic writing?

Yes, "prevailing notion" is appropriate for academic writing. It's a useful phrase for discussing established theories, assumptions, or beliefs within a particular field of study.

What's the difference between "prevailing notion" and "popular opinion"?

"Prevailing notion" refers to a widely held belief or understanding, while "popular opinion" specifically relates to the views of the general public. A "prevailing notion" might be found within a specific field or group, not necessarily the entire population.