the word on the street is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the word on the street is" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to convey rumors or popular opinions circulating among people, often in an informal context. Example: "The word on the street is that the new restaurant downtown is a must-try for food lovers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

At one moment, the word on the street is that the governor will be arrested before the weekend.

The New York Times

The word on the street is that the Goncharova was acquired by a Russian collector.

The New York Times - Arts

The word on the street is that it really stands for Black Kings.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The word on the street is that A.I.G. employees are being heavily recruited," Ms. Meyer says.

The New York Times

The word on the street is that the president's popularity has not increased.

The New York Times - Travel

The word on the street is that it is still "too hot" for criminals, he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The word on the street was skyrocketing rents.

The New York Times

"The word on the street was, 'Man, something's new.

The New York Times

The word on the street was that I was ugly.

Huffington Post

The word on the street was that without cooling, Ferdie would last at most seven days.

Huffington Post

Though, word on the street is that Amazon is one of those companies.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the word on the street is" to introduce information that is widely believed but not officially confirmed. It adds a conversational tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "the word on the street is" in formal writing. While useful for conveying widespread sentiment, overuse can diminish the credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The word on the street is functions as an introductory phrase to signal information that is circulating informally or as a rumor. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Huffington Post

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the word on the street is" is a commonly used phrase that introduces unconfirmed but widely circulating information. As Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, its primary function is to convey rumors or popular opinions. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase suits neutral to informal writing styles. Alternatives like "the buzz is" or "the rumor is" offer similar meanings. When using this phrase, remember to balance its conversational tone with the need for credibility, especially in formal contexts. While effective for conveying widespread sentiment, over-reliance can diminish the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the rumor is

Directly indicates an unconfirmed piece of information circulating.

the grapevine says

Suggests the information is spreading informally through social connections.

the buzz is

Focuses on the excitement or interest surrounding a topic.

the talk is

Highlights the conversation and discussion surrounding a topic.

people are saying

Attributes the information to a general, unspecified group.

reportedly

Indicates information has been communicated, but not necessarily verified.

it is rumored that

More formal way of introducing a rumor.

sources say

Implies information is coming from informed but unnamed individuals.

it's common knowledge that

Expresses that something is widely known and accepted.

the general consensus is

Highlights the widespread agreement or belief on a topic.

FAQs

What does "the word on the street is" mean?

The phrase "the word on the street is" means that there's a rumor or common knowledge about something that's spreading among people. It's often used to introduce information that isn't officially confirmed but is widely believed.

How can I use "the word on the street is" in a sentence?

You can use "the word on the street is" to introduce a piece of information that many people are talking about. For example: "The word on the street is that the company is planning a major restructuring."

What can I say instead of "the word on the street is"?

You can use alternatives like "the buzz is", "the rumor is", or "people are saying" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "the word on the street is" in formal writing?

While "the word on the street is" can be used in various contexts, it's generally more appropriate for informal or journalistic writing. In formal writing, consider using more direct and verifiable language.