was widely accepted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was widely accepted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has gained general approval or agreement among a large group of people or within a particular context. Example: "The theory proposed by the scientist was widely accepted in the academic community, leading to further research and exploration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But slavery's presence was widely accepted".

The New York Times

This theory was widely accepted and became established wisdom.

Nature

The success of metal detectors was widely accepted then.

The New York Times

But slavery's presence was widely accepted as natural.

The New York Times - Arts

Sad to say, this convenient doctrine was widely accepted.

The New York Times

It was widely accepted that they had to pay their dues.

Harvard Business Review

It also insisted that the use of aversive interventions was "widely accepted by professionals as necessary".

The Guardian

This date was widely accepted in the Western world until the 19th century.

Britannica

This model for solar system formation was widely accepted for about 100 years.

Britannica

The correlating of strata based on the faunal stage approach was widely accepted.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was widely accepted that people picked up by the Gestapo never returned, Mr Ferster said.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was widely accepted" to indicate a past consensus or agreement, ensuring the context clearly specifies who accepted it and why.

Common error

Avoid implying that something "was widely accepted" without supporting evidence or acknowledgment of dissenting viewpoints. Clearly identify the group or context in which acceptance prevailed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was widely accepted" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice. It indicates that a subject (idea, concept, practice) received broad agreement or approval within a specific group or context. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

28%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was widely accepted" effectively communicates that a specific idea, practice, or theory achieved broad approval or agreement in the past. Analysis confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and enjoys widespread use across diverse fields like news, encyclopedias and science. As Ludwig AI confirms, this passive voice construction is used to describe something that received general recognition. While commonly used, it's essential to provide context about who accepted it and why. Alternatives such as "gained widespread acceptance" or "became generally acknowledged" can be employed to add variety or subtle shifts in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gained widespread acceptance

Emphasizes the process of becoming accepted by many.

became generally acknowledged

Focuses on recognition and acknowledgement rather than active acceptance.

enjoyed broad support

Highlights active endorsement and backing from a wide audience.

met with general approval

Suggests a positive reception and agreement from most people.

was broadly embraced

Conveys enthusiasm and willingness to adopt something.

prevailed as the consensus

Implies an agreement reached after discussion or debate.

found favor with many

Suggests attraction and positive regard from a large group.

established itself as the norm

Indicates something became standard or typical practice.

became a conventional wisdom

Highlights widespread, uncritical acceptance as truth.

received universal recognition

Emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the acknowledgement.

FAQs

How can I use "was widely accepted" in a sentence?

Use "was widely accepted" to indicate that a particular idea, theory, or practice gained general approval or agreement in the past. For example: "The theory of evolution "was widely accepted" by the scientific community."

What can I say instead of "was widely accepted"?

You can use alternatives like "gained widespread acceptance", "became generally acknowledged", or "enjoyed broad support" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "was widely accepted" or "is widely accepted"?

Use "was widely accepted" to refer to something that gained acceptance in the past, while "is widely accepted" indicates current acceptance. The choice depends on whether the acceptance is ongoing or occurred in the past.

What's the difference between "was widely accepted" and "was generally believed"?

"Was widely accepted" suggests a more formal endorsement or agreement, often based on evidence or reasoning, while "was generally believed" implies a more informal, less substantiated acceptance.