widely known

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widely known" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is familiar to many people. For example: "The Taj Mahal is a widely known monument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it's widely known.

The New York Times

Those facts are widely known.

The New York Times

It is widely known and widely studied.

The New Yorker

But it is not widely known.

The Economist

How was this all so widely known?

The New York Times

Tchaikovsky's music is widely known.

Stanford University

These things are widely known.

The New Yorker

Mr. Brown's mapping has become widely known.

The New York Times

Mr. Faurer never became widely known.

The New York Times - Arts

She was becoming quite widely known.

The Guardian

Standard Oil became widely known as Amoco.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "widely known", consider whether the audience you are addressing might need more specific information. While it suggests general awareness, some audiences may require more detailed explanations or sources.

Common error

Avoid using "widely known" as a substitute for providing evidence or explanation, especially when writing for a diverse or specialized audience. What's "widely known" to one group might be completely unfamiliar to another.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widely known" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that the information or subject is generally recognized or familiar. It's used to establish common knowledge or shared understanding with the audience, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "widely known" is a versatile adjective phrase indicating that something is generally recognized or familiar. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Academia and Encyclopedias. To use it effectively, make sure the information is indeed generally known to your target audience and provide supporting evidence when necessary. Alternatives include "generally recognized", "commonly acknowledged", and "well-established". Avoid assuming universal knowledge and always consider your audience's familiarity with the topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generally recognized

Emphasizes the acceptance or acknowledgment of something by a majority.

commonly acknowledged

Highlights the shared understanding or admission of a fact or concept.

universally accepted

Suggests complete agreement or recognition without dissent.

well-established

Focuses on the long-term acceptance and validation of something.

public knowledge

Implies that information is accessible and known to the general populace.

well-understood

Highlights comprehension and familiarity rather than mere awareness.

broadly familiar

Similar to "widely known" but can suggest a less in-depth level of understanding.

a household name

Used specifically for people or brands that are extremely famous.

in the mainstream

Indicates something has become part of conventional or popular culture.

no secret

Emphasizes the lack of confidentiality or concealment of information.

FAQs

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

You can use "widely known" to describe facts or information that are generally recognized. For example, "It is "widely known" that exercise is beneficial for health."

What are some alternatives to "widely known"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "widely known" include "generally recognized", "commonly acknowledged", or "well-established".

Is it always appropriate to use "widely known" in academic writing?

While "widely known" can be used in academic writing, be sure to provide supporting evidence or citations, especially if the information might not be universally familiar to your target audience. Over-reliance on the phrase without evidence can weaken your argument.

What's the difference between "widely known" and "well-known"?

"Widely known" emphasizes the breadth of awareness, suggesting that many people are familiar with something. "Well-known" can also refer to depth of knowledge or reputation. While similar, "widely known" focuses more on the number of people who know something, whereas "well-known" can describe the degree to which something is recognized or understood.