widely held

USAGE SUMMARY

"widely held" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe a belief, opinion, or attitude that is shared by many people. For example, "The widely held belief that vaccines are safe and effective is incorrect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's a widely held view.

The Economist

That belief was widely held.

The Economist

Is this widely held though?

The New Yorker

His view is widely held in Japan.

The Economist

This became a widely held view.

Independent

The worries are widely held.

The New York Times

Her views are widely held.

The Guardian

But many views widely held are wrong.

The New Yorker

Hers is not a widely held view.

The New York Times

That view is widely held but wrong.

The New York Times

That view was not widely held yesterday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "widely held" to introduce a concept or belief that is generally accepted, providing context before presenting your argument or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "widely held" when referring to niche opinions or beliefs. Ensure the view is genuinely common among a significant population before labeling it as such.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widely held" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns like "belief", "view", or "opinion". As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly indicates that something is commonly accepted. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing prevalent societal ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

39%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "widely held" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe beliefs, views, or opinions that are commonly accepted by a significant portion of the population. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, especially in news, media, and scientific writing. While it's crucial to ensure the accuracy of the claim when using this phrase, it serves as a valuable tool for introducing prevalent ideas and establishing a shared understanding before further analysis or argumentation. Alternatives like "commonly accepted" or "generally believed" can offer nuanced variations, depending on the context and intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widely believed

Very similar, but emphasizes the act of believing.

commonly accepted

Focuses on the acceptance aspect, suggesting a general agreement.

generally believed

Highlights the belief aspect, implying widespread faith in something.

broadly recognized

Emphasizes recognition, suggesting that something is widely acknowledged.

prevalent view

Highlights that a particular view is dominant or widespread.

universally acknowledged

Implies near-complete agreement, a stronger level of acceptance.

popularly thought

Highlights the popularity of an idea, suggesting it is commonly considered true.

extensively shared

Focuses on the sharing aspect, indicating that an idea is held by many.

commonly known

Indicates that something is generally known or understood.

accepted wisdom

Refers to beliefs or ideas that are widely accepted as true or accurate.

FAQs

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

Use "widely held" to describe beliefs or opinions shared by many people. For example, "It is a "widely held belief" that regular exercise improves health."

What is a good alternative to "widely held"?

Alternatives include "commonly accepted", "generally believed", or "broadly recognized", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always accurate to describe something as "widely held"?

No, ensure that the belief or opinion is genuinely prevalent among a significant portion of the population. Avoid using it for niche views or assumptions.

What's the difference between "widely held" and "universally held"?

"Widely held" suggests a broad acceptance, while "universally held" implies near-complete agreement. The former is less absolute and more common in describing societal beliefs.