the common wisdom was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the common wisdom was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to widely accepted beliefs or opinions that were held at a particular time. Example: "In the early 2000s, the common wisdom was that the internet would never replace traditional media."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The common wisdom was that they nourished all Bifs equally, but German wasn't satis­fied.

The New Yorker

Still, until recently, the common wisdom was that the whole idea of hollow communications fibers defied the laws of physics.

The New York Times

The common wisdom was that for scientists and engineers to succeed in the entrepreneurial world you'd have to teach them all about business.

University of California, Berkeley

Just a few years ago the common wisdom was that to become a huge hit, a tent-pole game had to be released in the fall.

The New York Times - Arts

The common wisdom was never to put trees on a landfill because the roots would push down and puncture the cap.

The New York Times - Science

As recently as a month ago, the common wisdom was that it had been an abysmal year for movies, especially for the major studios.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The common wisdom is that markets hate uncertainty.

The New Yorker

The common wisdom is that there is but one alternative: reducing the government's deficit.

The New York Times

The common wisdom is that the immigrants have ruined the town, turning it into a largely Guatemalan island in Putnam County.

The New York Times

The common wisdom is that the city's tolerance and weather have lured them here from elsewhere.

The New York Times

The common wisdom is that Pennington isn't ready; but how do you know unless he plays?

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, consider explicitly stating what replaced the common wisdom or why it's no longer valid to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "the common wisdom was" without providing the specific context or time period to which it refers. Without context, the phrase can become vague and lose its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the common wisdom was" functions as an introductory phrase. It sets the stage for presenting a widely held belief or assumption that prevailed at some point in the past. Ludwig provides various examples showing its correct usage in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

13%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the common wisdom was" is a useful tool for introducing past beliefs and contrasting them with present understandings. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across different contexts, especially in News & Media and Academic settings. To use it effectively, provide specific context to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "it was generally believed that" or "the prevailing view was" can also be employed. While the phrase itself is versatile, understanding its implications for historical context is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was generally believed that

This alternative replaces "the common wisdom" with a more explicit statement of general belief.

the prevailing view was that

This phrase substitutes "common wisdom" with "prevailing view", emphasizing widespread acceptance.

it was widely understood that

This alternative replaces "common wisdom" with an emphasis on broad understanding.

the accepted belief was that

This phrase uses "accepted belief" instead of "common wisdom", stressing the idea of something being agreed upon.

the conventional thinking was that

This alternative uses "conventional thinking" to highlight the traditional or established nature of the belief.

people generally thought that

This phrase is a more straightforward way of saying what people generally believed to be true.

the general consensus was that

This option emphasizes agreement among people about a certain idea.

it was a widespread assumption that

This focuses on the idea being an assumption held by many, rather than explicitly stated knowledge.

the popular opinion was that

This highlights that the belief was popular among people.

it was the standard line of thought that

This is an idiomatic alternative, portraying a common way of thinking about something.

FAQs

How can I use "the common wisdom was" in a sentence?

Use "the common wisdom was" to introduce a belief widely accepted in the past, often contrasted with current understanding. For example, "In the 1990s, "the common wisdom was" that internet businesses were inherently unprofitable."

What are some alternatives to saying "the common wisdom was"?

Alternatives include "it was generally believed that", "the prevailing view was that", or "the accepted belief was that".

Is it always necessary to contrast "the common wisdom was" with current understanding?

While not always necessary, contrasting "the common wisdom was" with current understanding often adds depth and highlights the evolution of knowledge or perspectives. It emphasizes how beliefs have changed over time.

What's the difference between "the common wisdom is" and "the common wisdom was"?

"The common wisdom is" refers to current beliefs, while "the common wisdom was" refers to beliefs held in the past. Using "was" indicates that the belief is no longer necessarily true or widely accepted. It can be now be considered an "outdated belief".