widespread knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"widespread knowledge" is correct and is commonly used in written English, especially when referring to knowledge that is generally well-known or accepted.
For example, "It is widely accepted as widespread knowledge that global warming is a serious issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It alleged widespread knowledge of hacking at the NOTW, which contradicts his evidence to MPs.

Independent

But do me a favor, keep it under your hat as widespread knowledge of its quality might surely harm it.

The New York Times

Economic development, the internet, widespread knowledge of English (an official language alongside Maltese) and other factors have all been important.

The Guardian - Opinion

John Whittingdale, chairman of the committee, said Goodman's letter suggested there was "widespread" knowledge about phone hacking.

Independent

Insidiously, the photographs also make the text appear to be not fictional but real, despite the widespread knowledge that even in the predigital age, photographs could be manipulated.

The New York Times - Books

"A contributing factor to the threat to Prince Harry has been the widespread knowledge and discussion of his deployment," he said at the time.

The Guardian

A lack of widespread knowledge and information about FGM is putting American girls at risk, says Shelby Quast, policy advisor at the campaign group Equality Now.

The Guardian

Popularity itself, and its correlate, celebrity, became an intrinsic value the mere fact of widespread knowledge and familiarity became a reason to pay attention.

The New Yorker

Given the widespread knowledge of the expected poor conditions and the speed with which darkness would descend, why had it not been started earlier?

The Guardian - Sport

The panel said Mr. Welch and Mr. Johnson were most to blame, but they, in turn, have said that there was widespread knowledge and approval of their activities.

The New York Times - Sports

Environmental tobacco smoke, also called secondhand smoke, is an indoor air pollutant in many homes, despite widespread knowledge about the harmful effects of smoking.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "widespread knowledge" when you want to emphasize that a particular piece of information is generally known or accepted by a large group of people. Ensure that the context supports this assumption of common awareness.

Common error

Avoid using "widespread knowledge" when referring to specialized or niche topics. It's crucial to ensure that the knowledge is genuinely common and not just assumed to be. When you refer to something as "widespread knowledge" make sure it's truly common and not something only experts or those familiar with a specific field would know.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widespread knowledge" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the state of information being broadly known or recognized as mentioned in Ludwig's analysis and examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "widespread knowledge" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to indicate that a particular piece of information is generally known or accepted by a large group of people. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and prevalence in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Science, with a neutral formality level. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure that the knowledge is truly common and not simply assumed. Alternatives like "common understanding" or "general awareness" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. Furthermore, redundant phrasing should be avoided to achieve effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

common understanding

Focuses on the shared nature of the knowledge.

general awareness

Highlights the broad reach of the knowledge.

public knowledge

Emphasizes that the knowledge is accessible to everyone.

well-known information

Highlights the characteristic of the knowledge being easily and commonly known.

broad understanding

Similar to "widespread knowledge" but emphasizes comprehension.

commonly known facts

Focuses on factual knowledge that is widely accepted.

generally accepted knowledge

Emphasizes the acceptance and validation of the knowledge.

established facts

Highlights the certainty and validation of the knowledge

prevailing knowledge

Implies that the knowledge is current and dominant.

universal understanding

Suggests an even broader, almost complete, understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "widespread knowledge" to indicate that something is generally known or accepted, such as: "Despite the "widespread knowledge" of the dangers of smoking, many people continue to smoke."

What are some alternatives to "widespread knowledge"?

Alternatives include "common understanding", "general awareness", or "public knowledge" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "widely known widespread knowledge"?

Yes, it is redundant. "Widespread" already implies that the knowledge is widely known, so adding "widely known" is unnecessary and weakens the sentence.

What is the difference between "widespread knowledge" and "common knowledge"?

"Widespread knowledge" implies that many people know something, while "common knowledge" refers to facts that are so well-known that they don't need to be cited or explained. While there is a degree of overlap, they are not completely interchangeable.