widespread ideas

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widespread ideas" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe concepts or beliefs that are commonly held or accepted by a large number of people. Example: "The conference focused on widespread ideas about climate change and its impact on global policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Consider two widespread ideas — now fast approaching the stature of platitudes — on the impact of photography.

The New Yorker

Such religious groups integrate ancient, widespread ideas and customs of initiation into the framework of either the Vaishnava or Shaiva patterns of Hinduism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Based on the experience of the ISS, one of the most widespread ideas is to develop a Cislunar Station in preparation of long duration missions in a deep space environment.

Acta Astronautica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The deal will also play into the wrongheaded, but widespread, idea that corporations should not have to pay higher taxes.

The New York Times

Ms. Martin blames bad etiquette training and the widespread idea that being honest means expressing your every wish.

The New York Times

Among them we cannot possibly include the unfortunate but widespread idea that English is simpler than other languages".

The Guardian - Books

There is a widespread idea that such behaviour is commendable when it is nothing of the sort.

The Guardian - Opinion

EARLY in the first e-commerce boom, there was a widespread idea that shoes just didn't fit in.

The New York Times - Tech

In fact, such underperformance led to the widespread idea that having oil is a curse, which has generated extensive literature.

The Guardian - Opinion

It underlies the widespread idea that the body is a temple which can be desecrated by immoral activities and contaminants (an idea not unique to religious traditions).

The Guardian

Think about the widespread idea — on the right and the left — that the United States is governed by secretive, all-powerful elites.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "widespread ideas", ensure that you can provide evidence or examples to support the claim that these ideas are indeed widely held. This strengthens your argument and avoids generalization.

Common error

Avoid assuming an idea is "widespread" without verifying its actual reach. Overstating the prevalence of an idea can weaken your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widespread ideas" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "widespread" modifies the noun "ideas". It serves to identify concepts or beliefs that are prevalent within a certain population or context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "widespread ideas" correctly identifies concepts or beliefs commonly held among a group. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness. While examples may be limited, the contexts for this phrase encompass news, encyclopedias, and science. Using "widespread ideas" requires ensuring support for the claim that the ideas are indeed widely held. Alternatives, such as "common beliefs" or "prevailing notions", can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Overall, use the phrase thoughtfully, being sure that its usage is well-supported and aligns with the communicative intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

common beliefs

Replaces "ideas" with "beliefs", emphasizing the acceptance aspect.

prevailing notions

Substitutes "widespread" with "prevailing" and "ideas" with "notions", indicating current dominance.

popular opinions

Replaces "ideas" with "opinions" and "widespread" with "popular", highlighting widespread agreement.

accepted wisdom

Highlights ideas so widely accepted they're regarded as inherently true.

general understanding

Focuses on the common comprehension of a subject.

conventional wisdom

Emphasizes that these ideas are long-standing and traditional.

dominant ideologies

Refers to a set of ideas that hold considerable sway and influence.

broad consensus

Highlights the widespread agreement rather than the ideas themselves.

public perception

Focuses on ideas as they are viewed and interpreted by the public.

common knowledge

Suggests ideas that are so well-known they don't need specific attribution.

FAQs

How can I use "widespread ideas" in a sentence?

You can use "widespread ideas" to refer to beliefs or concepts that are commonly held or accepted by many people. For example: "The study examined the impact of "widespread ideas" about personal responsibility on social policy."

What are some alternatives to "widespread ideas"?

Alternatives include "common beliefs", "prevailing notions", or "popular opinions" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "widespread idea" instead of "widespread ideas"?

While grammatically acceptable if referring to a single, overarching concept, "widespread idea" is less common. "Widespread ideas" is generally used when discussing multiple related concepts or aspects of a belief system.

What's the difference between "widespread ideas" and "common knowledge"?

"Widespread ideas" refers to beliefs or concepts that are commonly held, while "common knowledge" implies information that is generally known and accepted as fact.