widely accepted understanding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widely accepted understanding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a concept or idea that is generally recognized and agreed upon by a large number of people or experts in a particular field. Example: "The widely accepted understanding of climate change is that human activities significantly contribute to global warming."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The backdrop to this statement was the widely accepted understanding that disaster risk is a function of the combination of four factors.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

This idea of disruption of mental function by "shaking of the brain" remained the widely accepted understanding of concussion until the 19th century.

Wikipedia

Sen. Howard's description of the only class of children born on U.S. soil who would not be U.S. citizens automatically at birth was merely a summary of the widely accepted understanding that children of foreign diplomats would not be birthright citizens.

Huffington Post

These numbers reflect the widely accepted understanding that well-trained, well-prepared health care workers enable stronger health systems and better patient health.

Human Resources for Health

In accordance with widely accepted understanding that prokaryotic genomes are compactly organized, we have demonstrated that the median value of the repeat coverage of bacterial genome is 1.8% (species-specific repeats constitute ∼1% from this).

DNA Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Their reasoning and arguments distort widely accepted understandings about the nature and process of science, threatening the rigor upon which the scientific enterprise depends.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Whilst the argument for extending the constituency of consultees on water management is now widely accepted, further understanding is required of how the process of participatory planning and management can best be structured and facilitated.

Desalination

It is now widely accepted that understanding the processes of the soil degradation is not simply a matter of analysing changes in the stock of physical and nutrient capital.

Agricultural Systems

However, it is widely accepted that for understanding of the plant morphological evolution new model systems representing different lineages of the angiosperms should be selected [ 12, 13].

BMC Genomics

In recent years, major and widely accepted information security understandings and achievements confirm that the problem is complex.

International Journal of Medical Informatics

A multidisciplinary approach to care is widely accepted with the increased understanding of the interplay between the biological, psychosocial, and sociological factors in SCD.

Advances in Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "widely accepted understanding", ensure that the context genuinely reflects a broad consensus, not just a personal belief or a niche perspective. Provide evidence or context to support the claim that the understanding is indeed widely accepted.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "widely accepted understanding" as universally true if there are significant dissenting voices or ongoing debates within the relevant field. Acknowledge the existence of alternative viewpoints to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widely accepted understanding" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. As shown by Ludwig, it identifies a generally agreed-upon concept or idea.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "widely accepted understanding" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, though its use is currently uncommon, as observed by Ludwig. It functions as a noun phrase, generally to refer to an idea or concept that is generally recognized and agreed upon in a particular field. This phrase is mostly present in scientific articles, news and media, and wiki content, so is considered to be leaning toward Formal and Scientific register. When you use "widely accepted understanding", ensure the context supports the claim of broad agreement and acknowledge potential dissenting viewpoints to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally agreed upon concept

Replaces 'widely accepted' with 'generally agreed upon' and 'understanding' with 'concept', maintaining the core meaning of a commonly held idea.

accepted wisdom

Condenses the phrase while retaining the essence of a commonly held and trusted understanding.

common consensus

This alternative simplifies the phrase to emphasize a collective agreement. It shifts the focus from individual understanding to shared agreement.

established belief

Focuses on the 'belief' aspect, highlighting that the understanding is firmly established and not just a fleeting idea.

well-established principle

Focuses on the foundational nature of the understanding, framing it as a fundamental principle that is firmly established.

prevailing view

Replaces 'understanding' with 'view', suggesting a dominant perspective or opinion that is currently held.

conventional wisdom

Emphasizes the traditional or customary nature of the understanding, implying that it has been accepted for a long time.

orthodox interpretation

Uses 'orthodox' to suggest that the interpretation adheres to traditional or established beliefs, highlighting a conservative and widely held viewpoint.

mainstream thought

This alternative highlights that the understanding is part of the dominant or prevailing mode of thinking within a particular context.

received knowledge

This implies that the knowledge has been passed down or inherited and is generally accepted without question.

FAQs

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

You can use "widely accepted understanding" to introduce a concept or idea that is generally recognized and agreed upon by many people or experts. For instance, "The "widely accepted understanding" of climate change is that human activities play a significant role."

What phrases are similar to "widely accepted understanding"?

Alternatives to "widely accepted understanding" include "generally agreed upon concept", "common consensus", or "established belief". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always accurate to describe something as a "widely accepted understanding"?

No, not always. The phrase "widely accepted understanding" should only be used when there is substantial evidence of broad agreement. If there's significant debate or dissenting opinions, it's more accurate to acknowledge those differing viewpoints.

What's the difference between "widely accepted understanding" and "common knowledge"?

"Widely accepted understanding" typically refers to a more complex or nuanced concept that requires some level of expertise or specialized knowledge to fully grasp. "Common knowledge", on the other hand, refers to basic facts or information that are generally known by most people, such as "the sky is blue".