widespread consciousness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widespread consciousness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a collective awareness or understanding that is prevalent among a large group of people. Example: "The widespread consciousness about climate change has led to increased activism and policy changes around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Unlike the Sundance Film Festival, which has become a major shopping expedition for Hollywood distributors, the TriBeCa festival has not yet been host to the sale of a single film, or launched a formerly unknown independent title into widespread consciousness.

The New York Times

In Rosenstock-Huessy's account, the first millennium of the Church had created a widespread consciousness of love of the neighbour, having taken a faith of the Jews into the pagan world.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

EVER since the Web entered widespread popular consciousness in the mid-1990's, the focus of many users and companies has been on finding information; thus the popularity and financial value of search engines.

The New York Times - Tech

It was almost thirty years ago that it was swept into widespread public consciousness in Australia with the airing of the Grim Reaper campaign.

Huffington Post

Many theories that attempt to answer this question have appeared recently in the context of widespread interest about consciousness in the cognitive neurosciences.

Trends in Cognitive Sciences

I had some minor consciousness of widespread violence against Tasmania's Aboriginal people, and I was moved by the shameful stories of the forced removal of Aboriginal children.

The Guardian

A seismic change among red shirts, and indeed in Thai society as a whole, has created perhaps the most widespread and profound political consciousness Thailand has ever seen.

Vice

These criteria can therefore be useful in determining whether consciousness is widespread, at least in the animal kingdom.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

Therefore, in the presence of low host IE surface antibodies, the expression of group A-like PfEMP1 (such as DC13) may give the parasite growth advantage in the initial infection, dominating the sequestered biomass, and causing impaired consciousness before widespread endothelial activation and inflammation occurs.

BMC Infectious Diseases

The recorded mugging of an injured Malaysian student, senseless destruction and widespread looting struck the national consciousness.

The Guardian

The loss of biodiversity, reliance on non-renewable natural resources, and conversion of once wild ecosystems for human use with attendant desertification/soil erosion, has led to a shift of consciousness and the widespread call for sustainability of human activities.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "widespread consciousness" with specific topics to highlight growing concern or understanding. For example, "widespread consciousness of environmental issues".

Common error

Avoid using "widespread consciousness" when simply referring to awareness. "Consciousness" implies a deeper understanding or internalization of knowledge, not just being informed. Use "widespread awareness" when the context is about being generally informed rather than deeply understanding something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widespread consciousness" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "widespread" modifies the noun "consciousness". It describes a state of collective awareness or understanding present among a large group. Ludwig examples illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "widespread consciousness" describes a shared and deep understanding within a large group, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's grammatically sound and frequently appears in contexts like news, science, and encyclopedias. The best usage involves emphasizing a notable shift in public understanding, differentiating it from mere awareness. Common errors include confusing "consciousness" with simple awareness. Alternatives such as "collective understanding" or "broad awareness" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared consciousness

Focuses on the common mental space or awareness within a group.

collective awareness

Focuses on group's shared perception or understanding of a subject.

broad awareness

Focuses on the extent of knowing, rather than a state of awareness.

popular understanding

Emphasizes understanding by the general public or a wide range of people.

public understanding

Highlights the level of comprehension among the general population.

societal understanding

Focuses on comprehension within a broad societal context.

general understanding

Emphasizes comprehension and shared knowledge within a group.

national awareness

Limits the scope to within the boundaries of a nation.

mass awareness

Indicates awareness on a very large scale, often driven by media.

common knowledge

Highlights information that is known by almost everyone.

FAQs

What is the difference between "widespread awareness" and "widespread consciousness"?

"Widespread awareness" refers to the general knowledge or understanding of a topic among a large group. "Widespread consciousness" implies a deeper level of understanding and internalization, often leading to changes in behavior or attitudes. Therefore, use "widespread awareness" when simply referring to being informed; reserve "widespread consciousness" for situations where understanding has led to transformation.

How can I effectively use "widespread consciousness" in a sentence?

To effectively use "widespread consciousness", pair it with a specific issue or topic to highlight a significant shift in public understanding or concern. For example, "The "widespread consciousness" about climate change has spurred new environmental policies."

What are some alternatives to "widespread consciousness"?

Some alternatives to "widespread consciousness" include "broad awareness", "collective understanding", or "public knowledge". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is "widespread consciousness" most appropriately used?

"Widespread consciousness" is best used in contexts where there's a notable shift in the general public's deep understanding or recognition of an issue. This includes discussions on social change, environmental awareness, public health, and shifts in cultural norms. Consider the audience and the level of understanding you want to convey.