was widely believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was widely believed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a common perception or opinion held by many people in the past. Example: "In the early 20th century, it was widely believed that the earth was flat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was widely believed he had gone to Hell.

The Times

This summer, ISIS was widely believed to have penetrated Gaziantep.

The New Yorker

Rafsanjani was widely believed to be a charlatan, too.

The New Yorker

It was widely believed, and justifiably, that Cimon and that force had liberated the Aegean Sea.

Yale University

It was widely believed that the Aztecs were one of the lost tribes of Israel.

The Guardian - Arts

It was widely believed that he was trying to rally former pro gressives behind himself.

The New York Times

Girardi's handling of Sanchez was widely believed to have contributed to his ouster from the Bronx.

The New York Times - Sports

In addition, it was widely believed that the Mayan inscriptions were largely religious in character.

Britannica

Hoffa, then the top Midwest teamster, was widely believed to be in league with labor racketeers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

fabrications are widely believed.

The New Yorker

This is widely believed amongst students.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was widely believed", ensure the context clearly indicates who held the belief and during what time period for clarity and historical accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "was widely believed" without specific evidence or attribution. Ensure you have a basis for claiming a belief was indeed widespread, or qualify it with phrases like "among some" or "in certain circles."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was widely believed" functions as an introductory clause, setting the stage for presenting a past perception, theory, or understanding. Ludwig examples highlight its role in conveying superseded ideas or historical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

24%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was widely believed" effectively introduces past perspectives or assumptions, even if they are now disproven. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across varied contexts, from news and media to encyclopedias and academia. This makes it crucial to use the phrase accurately, indicating who held the belief and during what period. Remember that although this phrase is commonly used, overgeneralization should be avoided. All in all, "was widely believed" stands as a useful tool for historical context and conveying shifts in understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was generally accepted

Emphasizes broad agreement or endorsement.

was commonly thought

Focuses on a typical or prevailing opinion.

was popularly supposed

Highlights a belief held by many people, often without substantial evidence.

was largely assumed

Indicates a belief taken for granted, potentially without thorough examination.

was conventionally understood

Stresses adherence to established or traditional perspectives.

was the prevailing view

Highlights that an idea or belief was dominant or widespread at a certain time.

was the established wisdom

Suggests that a belief has been accepted for a long time and is considered authoritative.

was rumored

Implies that something was believed due to gossip or unverified information.

was considered gospel

Indicates that a belief was treated as absolute truth or unquestionable fact.

was taken as a given

Highlights that an idea was accepted without question or proof.

FAQs

What is the best way to use "was widely believed" in a sentence?

Use "was widely believed" to introduce a concept, theory, or assumption that had significant acceptance at some point in the past. For example: "It "was widely believed" that the Earth was flat until scientific advancements proved otherwise."

What are some alternatives to "was widely believed"?

You can use alternatives such as "was generally accepted", "was commonly thought", or "was popularly supposed" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "was widely believed" when the belief is now known to be false?

Yes, it is perfectly appropriate. The phrase indicates a past belief, regardless of its current validity. Ensure the context makes it clear that the belief is no longer accepted as true. For instance, "It "was widely believed" that miasma caused disease, but germ theory disproved this."

What is the difference between "was widely believed" and "is widely believed"?

"Was widely believed" refers to a belief that was common in the past, whereas "is widely believed" indicates a current widespread belief. The difference lies in the time frame of the belief's prevalence.