universally acknowledged

USAGE SUMMARY

"universally acknowledged" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is generally accepted or agreed upon by the vast majority of people. For example, "It is universally acknowledged that a good education is essential for success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This truth is now universally acknowledged.

The Times

The usefulness was not universally acknowledged.

The New Yorker

He was, however, universally acknowledged as his country's intellectual voice.

Stanford University

This historical pattern has been universally acknowledged and universally ignored.

The New York Times

Mitchell is almost universally acknowledged as the real deal.

The New York Times - Books

The play's brilliance is pretty much universally acknowledged.

The New York Times

You might even say it is a truth universally acknowledged.

The Guardian - Opinion

A self-described Darwinian clock-watcher, he is universally acknowledged as the founder of "circadian" biology.

Stanford University

It is now universally acknowledged that genomes are dynamic structures, subjected to different types of rearrangements.

Brenner's Encyclopedia of Genetics

It's a truth universally acknowledged that capuchin monkeys prefer grapes to cucumbers.

The New Yorker

This is not a truth universally acknowledged in our humdrum world, so lacking in magical fish.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "universally acknowledged" to introduce a statement that is broadly accepted as fact. It adds a tone of authority and assumes shared understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "universally acknowledged" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive or pretentious. Opt for simpler phrases like "it is known" or "it is generally accepted" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "universally acknowledged" functions as an introductory phrase, specifically an adjectival phrase modifying a noun clause. It asserts a state of widespread agreement or recognition regarding the subsequent statement, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

20%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "universally acknowledged" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate widespread agreement or recognition. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse contexts. While very common, overuse should be avoided. Its primary function is to introduce facts or concepts that are broadly accepted, lending authority to the subsequent statement. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academic, and Scientific sources, this phrase can also be substituted with alternatives like "widely recognized" or "generally accepted" to prevent redundancy. Effective use involves ensuring that the following statement truly reflects a widely held belief, avoiding exaggeration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

universally recognized and accepted

Combines recognition and acceptance, offering a more comprehensive sense of widespread agreement.

widely recognized

Uses 'recognized' instead of 'acknowledged', implying a broader acceptance.

generally accepted

Emphasizes acceptance rather than acknowledgment, suggesting a more passive agreement.

acknowledged by all

Changes the structure to emphasize inclusivity in acknowledgement.

commonly known

Focuses on the fact that something is well-known, rather than explicitly acknowledged.

a matter of common knowledge

Highlights the widespread awareness of the information.

undeniably true

Shifts the focus to the truthfulness of the statement, implying universal agreement.

virtually undisputed

Highlights the lack of disagreement, rather than the act of acknowledgment.

almost unanimously agreed upon

Emphasizes near-complete agreement, adding a nuance of potential, slight dissent.

firmly established

Focuses on the established nature of the fact, suggesting a historical consensus.

FAQs

How to use "universally acknowledged" in a sentence?

You can use "universally acknowledged" to introduce a concept or fact that is widely accepted. For example, "It is "universally acknowledged" that exercise is beneficial for health".

What can I say instead of "universally acknowledged"?

You can use alternatives like "widely recognized", "generally accepted", or "commonly known" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "universally acknowledged" or "widely acknowledged"?

Both "universally acknowledged" and "widely acknowledged" are correct, but they differ in degree. "Universally" implies that everyone agrees, while "widely" suggests a broad, but not necessarily complete, agreement.

What's the difference between "universally acknowledged" and "universally accepted"?

"Universally acknowledged" suggests something is recognized or admitted by everyone, while "universally accepted" implies that something is agreed upon or approved by everyone. The subtle difference lies in the act of recognition versus acceptance.