widely recognized

USAGE SUMMARY

"widely recognized" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use it to describe how something (or someone) is known or accepted throughout a broader scope. For example: "The actor is widely recognized for his roles in several hit movies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Your team's virtues are widely recognized!

The New York Times

Ten genera of cycads are widely recognized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Ammann's design skills were widely recognized.

The New York Times

Still, his zealousness is widely recognized.

The New York Times

Revenge is widely recognized as illegitimate.

The New York Times

I say she'd be widely recognized.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Otto's work has been widely recognized.

The New York Times - Arts

It is now widely recognized that.

Advances in Space Research

Crandall's professional contributions have been widely recognized.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Stiglitz's work has been widely recognized.

Columbia University

And their ancestor-worshiping work has become widely recognized.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "widely recognized" to emphasize broad agreement or acknowledgment of a fact, concept, or achievement across diverse fields or among many people.

Common error

Avoid using "widely recognized" when the recognition is limited to a specific niche or small group. Instead, opt for more specific terms like "recognized within the field" or "acknowledged by experts".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widely recognized" functions primarily as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase. It typically describes a noun, indicating that the noun is generally or extensively known or acknowledged. Ludwig confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

34%

Science

29%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "widely recognized" is a versatile and frequently used adjective phrase that signifies broad acceptance or acknowledgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions primarily to modify nouns, emphasizing their established presence or validity. Common across news, academic, and scientific contexts, this phrase lends credibility to statements. While grammatically sound and generally appropriate for formal communication, it is essential to ensure that the recognition is genuinely widespread to avoid misuse. Alternatives such as "generally acknowledged" or "commonly known" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Ultimately, "widely recognized" remains a valuable tool for conveying authority and reinforcing the significance of information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widely accepted

Focuses more on acceptance than explicit recognition.

generally acknowledged

Uses "acknowledged" instead of "recognized", implying a more passive acceptance.

broadly accepted

Similar to "widely recognized" but suggests a less formal endorsement.

publicly acknowledged

Highlights the open and overt nature of the recognition.

universally accepted

Emphasizes complete agreement without dissent.

commonly known

Focuses on the prevalence of knowledge rather than explicit recognition.

well-established

Indicates that something has been recognized for a long time and is firmly in place.

firmly established

Suggests a strong and lasting recognition, often implying authority.

extensively validated

Suggests that recognition comes from repeated confirmation or verification.

highly regarded

Shifts the focus to positive perception and respect, rather than simple acknowledgment.

FAQs

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

You can use "widely recognized" to describe something that is generally known or accepted, such as "The scientist's work is "widely recognized" in the academic community."

What are some alternatives to "widely recognized"?

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

Is there a difference between "widely recognized" and "widely accepted"?

While similar, "widely recognized" emphasizes acknowledgment or awareness, whereas "widely accepted" implies agreement or endorsement. Something can be "widely recognized" without being "widely accepted", and vice versa.

When is it appropriate to use "widely recognized" in formal writing?

"Widely recognized" is suitable for formal writing when discussing concepts, theories, or achievements that have gained significant recognition within a particular field or across multiple disciplines. Ensure the recognition is genuinely broad to maintain credibility.