widely held views

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widely held views" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to opinions or beliefs that are commonly accepted or shared by a large number of people. Example: "The widely held views on climate change emphasize the urgent need for action to mitigate its effects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

While those are widely held views in Mexico, they are rarely voiced in the discourse of diplomacy.

The New York Times

Billington, however, insists he is not pursuing a vendetta, but simply reflecting widely held views in the theatre that the National is now being run as "Trevor's club".

The Guardian

The current hegemony of conceptual art, he argued, is akin to that of socialist realism in the Soviet Union; like the dotcom bubble, it is founded on a confidence trick.These are widely held views.

The Economist

Correction: October 18 , 2003 Saturday An article in Science Times on Tuesday about Dr. Michael J. Ryan, a University of Texas biologist who challenges widely held views of evolution, misstated his title.

The New York Times - Science

Correction: October 21, 2003, Tuesday A picture in Science Times last Tuesday with a profile of Dr. Michael J. Ryan, a University of Texas biologist who challenges widely held views of evolution, carried an incorrect credit.

The New York Times - Science

Yet the decision by Parliament to strip him of immunity was an attempt to put widely held views among Israel's Arab citizens outside the bounds of legitimate political debate, he asserted.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

It's a widely held view.

The Economist

This became a widely held view.

Independent

Hers is not a widely held view.

The New York Times

That is a widely held view in Russia.

The New York Times

Yet some of the Clarks' pictures might induce visitors to reconsider this widely held view.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "widely held views", ensure you provide context or evidence to support the claim that these views are indeed widely held. Avoid using it as a substitute for rigorous analysis or research.

Common error

Avoid presenting personal beliefs or opinions held within a small group as "widely held views". Always verify that the views are, in fact, widespread and not limited to a specific community or interest group.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widely held views" functions as a noun phrase, where 'widely held' acts as an adjective modifying 'views'. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, typically used to introduce common opinions or beliefs.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "widely held views" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to refer to commonly accepted beliefs or opinions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure that the views are indeed widespread and to provide adequate context. Alternatives like "generally accepted beliefs" or "commonly shared opinions" may be used for nuanced expression. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, its register remains generally neutral, making it suitable for various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally accepted beliefs

Focuses on the acceptance of the beliefs rather than just their prevalence.

commonly shared opinions

Highlights the shared nature of the opinions.

prevailing attitudes

Emphasizes the current dominance of these attitudes.

dominant perspectives

Focuses on the perspectives that have the most influence.

established norms

Shifts the focus to norms that are firmly established.

popular beliefs

Indicates widespread acceptance among the general population.

conventional wisdom

Implies that the views are traditional and widely accepted, sometimes without critical examination.

mainstream thinking

Highlights the views that are considered within the 'mainstream'.

accepted doctrines

Refers to beliefs formally accepted within a system of thought.

public sentiment

Captures the general feeling or opinion of the public.

FAQs

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

You can use "widely held views" to introduce common beliefs or opinions. For example, "It is among the "widely held views" that climate change requires immediate action".

What's a more formal alternative to "widely held views"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "generally accepted beliefs" or "established norms".

How do "widely held views" differ from "personal opinions"?

"Widely held views" reflect beliefs shared by many, while "personal opinions" are individual beliefs not necessarily shared. Implying that a view is widely held when it is actually a personal opinion can be misleading.

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

No, it is crucial to ensure that the views are genuinely widespread. Using phrases like "popular beliefs" without verification can weaken your argument.