widely accepted

USAGE SUMMARY

"widely accepted" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is recognized and acknowledged by a great many people. For example, "The belief that the Earth is round is widely accepted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Note: Dollars are widely accepted).

The New York Times - Travel

Bias laws are widely accepted.

The New York Times

This reasoning is widely accepted.

The Economist

Dollars are widely accepted.

The New York Times - Travel

United States dollars are widely accepted.

The New York Times - Travel

Homosexuality and transsexuals are widely accepted.

The New York Times

The hypothesis is not widely accepted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(U.S. dollars are widely accepted in Cambodia).

The New York Times - Travel

The first three points are widely accepted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These findings are not widely accepted, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Similarly, privacy is a widely accepted principle.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "widely accepted" when you want to indicate that an idea, concept, or practice is generally agreed upon and recognized by a significant portion of people within a particular field or society. It adds credibility to your statements.

Common error

Avoid using "widely accepted" as a substitute for providing evidence or justification. While it can be useful to indicate general agreement, always back up your claims with specific data or references.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widely accepted" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree to which something is agreed upon or recognized. Ludwig examples show it modifying various nouns, such as "reasoning", "principle", and "fact". It is used to indicate consensus or common understanding regarding a concept or idea.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "widely accepted" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to convey that an idea, concept, or practice is generally agreed upon and recognized by a significant number of individuals. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase functions as an adjectival modifier with a neutral tone. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When using "widely accepted", ensure that you provide sufficient evidence to support your claims and avoid over-reliance on the phrase as a substitute for rigorous justification. Alternatives such as "generally acknowledged" or "commonly recognized" can be used to introduce variety into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally acknowledged

Focuses on the recognition and acknowledgement by most people.

commonly recognized

Highlights the widespread recognition of a concept or idea.

universally acknowledged

Emphasizes that the idea is accepted by everyone.

largely agreed upon

Focuses on the agreement of many people.

broadly recognized

Highlights recognition across a wide range of areas or groups.

well-established

Highlights that the idea has been around for sometime and is considered to be a standard.

extensively validated

Emphasizes the rigorous testing and confirmation of an idea.

firmly established

Indicates a strong and secure acceptance of an idea.

prevalent belief

Highlights the widespread acceptance of a particular belief.

conventional wisdom

Refers to beliefs that are unexamined but considered common knowledge.

FAQs

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

You can use "widely accepted" to describe ideas, theories, or practices that are generally agreed upon. For example, "It is "widely accepted" that climate change is occurring".

What are some alternatives to saying "widely accepted"?

Alternatives include "generally acknowledged", "commonly recognized", or "universally acknowledged". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always safe to assume something is true if it's "widely accepted"?

Not necessarily. While "widely accepted" suggests broad agreement, it doesn't guarantee absolute truth. Scientific theories, for example, can be "widely accepted" within the scientific community but still undergo revisions or be replaced by new theories over time.

What's the difference between "widely accepted" and "proven"?

"Proven" implies a definitive and conclusive demonstration of truth, while "widely accepted" indicates a general agreement or consensus, which may be based on strong evidence but doesn't necessarily equate to absolute proof. A theory can be "widely accepted" even if it hasn't been definitively proven.