widely known fact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widely known fact" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to information or knowledge that is generally accepted and recognized by a large number of people. Example: "It is a widely known fact that exercise is beneficial for both physical and mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The most widely known fact about George H. W. Bush in the 1992 election was that he hated broccoli.

The New Yorker

That risky tactic reinforces the widely known fact that two juries were not swayed by Mr. Schwarz's claim of innocence.

The New York Times

For the last few years Mr. Hill has been battling cancer, a widely known fact that probably had something to do with the impressive midday turnout.

The New York Times - Arts

It is not a widely known fact that anyone wishing to have a hedgehog as a pet is forced, by law, to employ an immigrant.

The Times

The dispute over the junior doctor contract has highlighted the consequences of one widely known fact that somehow doesn't seem to be fully accepted.

Independent

First, is a widely known fact that parents of infants (no matter where the baby sleeps) are extremely lucky to seize a private moment when and where they can.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

First, there are the simple but not widely known facts.

The Washington Post

While Lachowicz uses lipstick and make-up on large scale sculptural pieces that, by comparison, dwarf the note from Kahlo in the archive, Homberger was kind enough to share with me several important and not widely known facts on lipstick's long term preservation.

Columbia University

Widely known facts don't need to be cited, but ideas, observations, conclusions, unique expression, and even questions and opinions do.

WikiHow

Or so I thought, anyway, because in the wake of this reconfirmation of already-widely known facts about Trump's overflowing sack of indecencies and personality defects, many people ― many Republicans, anyway ― seem very taken aback that the man could have made the kind of remark that he is constantly making.

Huffington Post

It is widely known, in fact, that the laminar boundary layer is more sensitive to separation than the turbulent boundary layer.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "widely known fact" to introduce information that most people are expected to know, providing a common ground with your audience. For instance, begin with "As a "widely known fact", regular exercise improves cardiovascular health" to set a familiar context.

Common error

Avoid using "widely known fact" to introduce information that is extremely obvious or trivial. This can make your writing seem condescending or redundant. Instead, reserve the phrase for less obvious information that is still generally recognized.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widely known fact" functions as an introductory device, typically preceding a statement that the writer assumes is generally understood or accepted by the audience. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

27%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "widely known fact" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to introduce information presumed to be generally understood. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it serves to establish common ground with an audience and appears frequently in contexts such as news and media, science, and wiki sources. While versatile, it's important to avoid using this phrase to introduce trivial or overly obvious information. Alternatives such as "generally accepted truth" or "common knowledge" may be used depending on context. Overall, using this phrase strategically enhances clarity and connection with your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well-established fact

Uses a slightly different adjective to describe the level of establishment.

common knowledge

Shortens the phrase, implying the "fact" is known by most people.

generally accepted truth

Replaces "fact" with "truth" and "widely known" with "generally accepted", focusing on the broad agreement on the statement.

commonly recognized knowledge

Substitutes "fact" with "knowledge" and "widely known" with "commonly recognized", highlighting public awareness.

publicly known information

Focuses on the availability of the "information" to the general public.

universally acknowledged reality

Emphasizes the global acceptance of the "fact", increasing the scope of awareness.

established piece of information

Replaces "fact" with a longer phrase, emphasizing its confirmed status.

understood truth

Shifts emphasis to the understanding of a "truth" rather than the knowing of a "fact".

broadly accepted idea

Replaces "fact" with "idea", suggesting a concept generally agreed upon.

conventional wisdom

Implies the "fact" is a commonly held belief, often without critical examination.

FAQs

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

You can use "widely known fact" to introduce information that is generally accepted. For example: "It is a "widely known fact" that water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level."

What are some alternatives to "widely known fact"?

You can use alternatives like "generally accepted truth", "well-established fact", or "common knowledge depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "widely known fact"?

While "fact" implies something known, "widely known fact" emphasizes broad awareness, which can be useful for setting context or introducing a topic. However, avoid overuse to prevent redundancy.

How formal is the phrase "widely known fact"?

The phrase "widely known fact" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's commonly found in news articles, academic papers, and casual conversations, making it versatile for various types of writing and speech.