widely held notion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widely held notion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a belief or idea that is commonly accepted by a large number of people. Example: "The widely held notion that exercise is essential for good health has been supported by numerous studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

He was smiling as he spoke, belying the widely held notion that he is humorless.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Breen, the Kim Jong-il biographer, said the widely held notion of Mr. Kim as unbalanced was inaccurate.

The New York Times

Earl even disputed the widely held notion that Oregon's high-profile football team was great for business at the university.

The New York Times - Sports

IT is a widely held notion that the best sushi in a Japanese restaurant is served at the counter.

The New York Times

All four ought to demolish the still widely held notion that Diaghilev championed, above all, collaboration between composer and choreographer.

The New York Times - Arts

Few of those investors appear to question the widely held notion that stocks are less attractive when interest rates rise.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

These findings challenge widely held notions that partner rape is the most difficult to prosecute.

The New York Times

The Pew report confirms a notion that had been a widely held belief for years but that had not been supported by much research, according to Lee Rainie, director of Pew's Internet and American Life Project.

The New York Times

The organization published it in an effort to counteract the widely held but erroneous notion that corpses cause epidemics, and therefore must be disposed of with utmost speed.

The New York Times

General Palmer rejected the notion, widely held in and out of the military, that the Joint Chiefs of Staff had a strategy for winning the war but were hobbled by political interference.

The New York Times

The Geron Corporation, of Menlo Park, Calif., sought to reinforce the notion -- widely held until Thursday -- that it had captured the commercial rights to all the embryonic lines in existence, as well as the processes for deriving those lines.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "widely held notion", ensure the context clearly indicates whose notion it is and whether it is being supported or refuted.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "widely held notion" as universally true without providing supporting evidence or acknowledging counterarguments. Always consider the possibility that the notion is not as widespread as you believe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widely held notion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It introduces a belief, idea, or assumption that is commonly accepted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "widely held notion" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to introduce a commonly accepted belief or idea. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct. It's most prevalent in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide context and evidence to support or challenge the notion. Alternatives like "common belief" or "prevailing idea" can be used for variety. Be cautious of overgeneralizing and always consider the validity of the "widely held notion" you are presenting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Common belief

Focuses on the belief being common, simplifying the original phrase.

Prevailing idea

Emphasizes the idea's current dominance or influence.

Generally accepted view

Highlights the acceptance of the view by a majority.

Popular opinion

Indicates that the idea is favored by many people.

Conventional wisdom

Implies that the idea has been accepted for a long time and is considered traditional.

Widespread understanding

Emphasizes a common understanding among a group of people.

Public perception

Focuses on how the general public views something.

Shared understanding

Highlights the communal aspect of the understanding.

Established theory

Suggests the idea is a formal theory with a solid basis.

Received knowledge

Highlights the idea as something that has been passed down or inherited.

FAQs

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

You can use "widely held notion" to introduce a common belief, for example: "It is a "widely held notion" that exercise is essential for good health."

What is an alternative to "widely held notion"?

Alternatives include "common belief", "prevailing idea", or "generally accepted view". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

No, it's important to ensure that there's evidence to support the claim that a belief is indeed "widely held". Avoid using the phrase if the belief is only held by a specific group or is based on limited information.

What's the difference between "widely held notion" and "common misconception"?

A ""widely held notion"" is a belief accepted by many, while a "common misconception" is a "false belief" that many people hold. The key difference is whether the belief is accurate or not.