widely believed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widely believed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is generally believed or accepted by many people. For example, "It is widely believed that a healthy diet can help reduce the risk of serious diseases."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is not widely believed.

The Economist

fabrications are widely believed.

The New Yorker

This is widely believed amongst students.

Independent

It is widely believed he killed himself.

Independent

Apple is widely believed to have both.

The New York Times - Tech

Still, they are widely believed.

The Washington Post

Why was it so widely believed?

The Guardian - Opinion

ARI material - The Computer in Teaching - Ten Widely Believed Myths.

Stanford University

Are "top-ranked" and "right-fit" synonymous, as widely believed?

Stanford University

Alcohol is widely believed to increase impulsive behavior.

Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior

It's widely believed he received a tip off.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "widely believed" to introduce a concept or idea that is generally accepted but may have nuances or counterarguments that you will then explore.

Common error

Avoid using "widely believed" to describe a niche opinion or a belief held only by a small group. This can undermine your credibility and mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widely believed" functions as an introductory expression, presenting information as a common or popular notion. It sets the stage for further discussion or analysis. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase indicates a general acceptance or agreement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

37%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "widely believed" is a versatile phrase used to introduce concepts or ideas generally accepted as true. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse fields like news, science, and academia. When employing this phrase, ensure the belief is indeed widespread and, if possible, substantiate it with evidence. Alternatives such as "generally accepted" or "commonly thought" can be used for variety, but remember that each carries slightly different connotations. The frequency analysis shows it is most common in "News & Media" and "Science", indicating its relevance in reporting and scientific discourse. While "widely believed" is powerful, avoid overstating the prevalence of a belief, and always consider the context in which you are writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally accepted

Implies a broad agreement or consensus about something.

commonly thought

Suggests a prevalent idea or assumption among people.

broadly recognized

Highlights that something is acknowledged by a large number of people.

widely acknowledged

Similar to "broadly recognized", emphasizing acknowledgement.

popular belief

Refers to a belief held by many people, not necessarily based on evidence.

prevailing wisdom

Indicates a commonly held belief, often implying it is the established view.

it is understood that

A more formal way of stating something is generally accepted.

it is presumed that

Suggests something is assumed to be true based on probability.

conventional wisdom

Similar to "prevailing wisdom", suggesting an accepted but possibly unexamined belief.

the common perception

Emphasizes how something is viewed or understood by most people.

FAQs

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

You can use "widely believed" to introduce a concept or idea that is generally accepted. For example, "It is "widely believed" that regular exercise improves overall health."

What can I say instead of "widely believed"?

You can use alternatives like "generally accepted", "commonly thought", or "broadly recognized" depending on the context.

Is it always accurate to use "widely believed"?

Not necessarily. While the phrase suggests a broad consensus, it's important to ensure the belief is genuinely widespread and not just an assumption. Backing it up with evidence is recommended.

What's the difference between "widely believed" and "conventional wisdom"?

"Widely believed" simply indicates that something is commonly thought to be true. "Conventional wisdom" implies that the belief has been established over time, even if it might not always be accurate or challenged.