was generally considered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was generally considered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a common opinion or belief about a subject in the past. Example: "The theory was generally considered to be the most accurate explanation of the phenomenon at the time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Grantland Rice (1880-1954) Rice was generally considered the best-known sportswriter of his generation.

The New York Times - Sports

By the end of the 1940's, the Jamaican iguana was generally considered extinct.

The New York Times - Science

That which the celebrities celebrated, however, was generally considered a terrible outcome by development NGOs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pensions experts said 15 years was generally considered a long period for a recovery plan.

The Guardian - Business

And up until last November, Burma was generally considered to be one.

The Guardian - Travel

My father was generally considered to have had a bad war," he said.

The Guardian

What particularly bothered him was that it was generally considered to be the age of reason.

The Guardian - Books

Until last year, the power of these departments was generally considered to be on the wane.

The New York Times - Arts

In 2001, Mr. Giuliani's belated endorsement of Mr. Bloomberg was generally considered crucial.

The New York Times

It was generally considered that the passages in question were in Casement's handwriting.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His work in the field of choreography was generally considered daringly original.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was generally considered" to introduce a perspective that was prevalent at a specific time, especially when contrasting it with current views.

Common error

Avoid using "was generally considered" if the viewpoint was only held by a small group or if there's significant evidence to the contrary. Overstating agreement can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was generally considered" functions as a reporting verb or introductory phrase. It is used to introduce a statement or idea that was commonly accepted or believed at some point in the past. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating its wide applicability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was generally considered" is a versatile expression used to introduce past beliefs or viewpoints that enjoyed widespread acceptance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across a variety of sources, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and academic writing. While alternatives like "was widely believed" or "was commonly thought" exist, "was generally considered" effectively establishes context and conveys shared understanding. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the viewpoint was indeed widespread and to avoid overstating general agreement. In summary, its correct application enhances clarity and provides valuable background information, while its misuse can undermine credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was widely believed

Replaces "considered" with "believed", emphasizing the prevalence of the opinion.

was commonly thought

Substitutes "generally considered" with "commonly thought", focusing on a shared understanding.

was largely regarded

Uses "largely regarded" instead of "generally considered", suggesting a widespread positive or negative assessment.

was viewed by most as

Emphasizes the perspective of the majority, replacing "generally considered" with a more direct attribution.

was understood to be

Highlights the general understanding of something, differing slightly in nuance from a direct consideration.

was the prevailing opinion

Indicates that the idea was the most common viewpoint, shifting the focus to the dominance of the opinion.

was the accepted view

Focuses on the acceptance of a particular perspective, rather than the act of considering.

was conventionally seen as

Emphasizes the traditional or standard viewpoint, replacing "generally considered" with a focus on convention.

was deemed by many to be

Replaces "generally considered" with "deemed by many to be", emphasizing the act of judging or evaluating.

met with general approval

Shifts the focus to the reception of something, suggesting that it was favorably viewed by most.

FAQs

How can I use "was generally considered" in a sentence?

Use "was generally considered" to introduce a viewpoint or belief that was widely held at a particular time. For example, "In the 19th century, phrenology "was generally considered" a legitimate science".

What can I say instead of "was generally considered"?

You can use alternatives like "was widely believed", "was commonly thought", or "was largely regarded" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "was generally considered" or "is generally considered"?

Use "was generally considered" when discussing a past belief or viewpoint. Use "is generally considered" when discussing a current belief. The choice depends on the time frame you're referencing.

What's the difference between "was generally considered" and "was thought to be"?

"Was generally considered" implies a broader consensus or acceptance, while "was thought to be" can indicate a more speculative or less substantiated belief. The former suggests widespread agreement, while the latter suggests possibility or individual conjecture.