prevailing reality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prevailing reality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the dominant or most widely accepted state of affairs or conditions in a particular context. Example: "In today's society, the prevailing reality is that technology influences almost every aspect of our lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

This is no raging controversy, Carter maintains, just prevailing reality, though possibly and admittedly a sad one.

The New York Times - Sports

British high streets are generally packed with what amounts to thousands of competing soundtracks and brave efforts to dodge as much of our prevailing reality as possible.

The Guardian - Books

Descriptive knowledge informs about the prevailing reality, for instance about the ECEC participation rate of defined age groups (e.g., under 3-year-olds) in a specified jurisdiction (e.g., state) at a specific reference date.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

"Despite all the complexities of the prevailing reality and all the frustrations that abound, we say before the international community there is still a chance - maybe the last - to save the two-state solution and to salvage peace," he added.

BBC

The delineations that allowed us to have very separate functions within an organization (R&D, Marketing, PR, Product Development, Customer Service etc). and across the entire value chain of stakeholders begins to break down when the customer's view of your company becomes the prevailing reality.

Forbes

In "Know How," a new documentary by Juan Carlos Pineiro Escoriaza, viewers follow the experiences of foster youth in NYC -- those young people who are forced to fight for themselves, or like a white dwarf star, succumb to the prevailing reality of the foster care life.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Most people who choose to work in television, particularly in commercial television, are prepared to accommodate themselves to the prevailing realities.

The New Yorker

Your February 14 , 2018 open letter to the American people asked us to "evaluate the future of American forces in light of the prevailing realities" in Afghanistan.

The New Yorker

Although some Catalan writers chose to ignore the prevailing realities and cultivated a literature of artistic escape, the most influential poets of the mid-20th century, Salvador Espriu and Pere Quart (pseudonym of Joan Oliver i Sallarès), began writing poetry that dealt with social issues.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It makes me wonder as to why economists fail to realise that the indicators adopted for measuring poverty are inadequate, and do not reflect the prevailing realities.

Huffington Post

Studies in developing countries have to deal with the prevailing realities where methodological considerations often have to succumb to political and resource demands.

BMC Oral Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prevailing reality" to acknowledge the dominant conditions or beliefs affecting a situation before proposing alternative solutions or perspectives.

Common error

Avoid using "prevailing reality" when discussing ideal or aspirational scenarios. This phrase is best used to describe the existing state, not a desired one. Make sure to differentiate between the real and the ideal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevailing reality" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "prevailing" modifies the noun "reality". According to Ludwig AI, it denotes the dominant or most widely accepted situation or state of affairs. This contrasts with theoretical or desired states.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prevailing reality" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression, as supported by Ludwig AI. It's used to describe the current or dominant state of affairs, and frequently appears in news, scientific, and formal contexts. When using "prevailing reality", ensure it accurately reflects the actual situation and differentiate it from ideal or hypothetical scenarios. Alternatives like "current state of affairs" or "dominant paradigm" may be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

current state of affairs

Focuses on the present situation and how things currently stand, without necessarily emphasizing dominance or acceptance.

dominant paradigm

Emphasizes the most influential or accepted set of beliefs or ideas in a particular field or context.

established norm

Highlights the accepted standard or pattern of behavior within a group or society.

accepted wisdom

Refers to beliefs or ideas that are widely accepted as true or valid, often without critical examination.

reigning conditions

Emphasizes the existing circumstances or state of affairs that are currently in effect.

general climate

Refers to the overall atmosphere or prevailing mood in a particular environment or situation.

common understanding

Highlights the shared knowledge or agreement among a group of people regarding a particular issue or concept.

the way things are

A simple and direct way of referring to the current situation, often implying resignation or acceptance.

existing order

Focuses on the established system or arrangement of things, often implying a sense of stability or resistance to change.

the status quo

Emphasizes the current state of affairs, particularly in the context of maintaining things as they are.

FAQs

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

You can use "prevailing reality" to acknowledge the current state of affairs before suggesting changes or solutions. For example, "Despite the desire for renewable energy, the "current state of affairs" is that many countries still rely heavily on fossil fuels".

What is a good substitute for "prevailing reality"?

Alternatives include "current state of affairs", "dominant paradigm", or "accepted wisdom", depending on the specific context you're using it in.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "prevailing reality"?

While generally correct, avoid using "prevailing reality" when referring to hypothetical or desired situations. It should accurately reflect the current and demonstrable state.

What's the difference between "prevailing reality" and "ideal situation"?

"Prevailing reality" describes the way things currently are, often with an implication of dominance or widespread acceptance. "Ideal situation" refers to a desired or perfect scenario, which may be different from the "current state of affairs".