widespread opinion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widespread opinion" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to a belief or view that is held by a large number of people. Example: The widespread opinion among students was that the new dress code was too restrictive.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Contrary to widespread opinion, one process is not always the exact opposite of the other.

Product Development A Structured Approach to Consumer Product Development, Design, and Manufacture

Contrary to widespread opinion, avoidance of gluten is not the main beneficial factor for most people.

Stanford University

Contrary to widespread opinion, the CIUS did not copy the institutional model of the HURI.

Stanford University

Contrary to relatively widespread opinion, sporting events are legitimate targets for protest.

Independent

But the most widespread opinion is voiced by the Tamarrod member Yassir Fouad, a pharmacist.

The New York Times

There is a widespread opinion that women suffer emotionally from having an abortion, but only few longitudinal studies have actually investigated how abortion influences women's well-being.

Princeton University

Abner Mikva, a Democrat in the House from Chicago, holds the widespread opinion that "We have a tougher code of ethics than ever.

The New Yorker

No comparable estimates were made in previous years, the official said, but the widespread opinion among government officials was that the number was uch smaller 10 years ago.

The New York Times

Contrary to widespread opinion, countries such as Slovakia, Poland and Romania may well bring good news for pro-Europeans in these elections.

The Guardian - Opinion

One relatively unchanged public attitude about the war in Iraq is the widespread opinion that it, on balance, has not been worth fighting.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This poll offers a window onto widespread opinions at a critical juncture.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "widespread opinion", ensure you can provide evidence or examples to support the claim that the opinion is indeed widely held. This strengthens your argument and adds credibility.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "widespread opinion" as a universally accepted truth. Recognize that even if an opinion is common, dissenting voices or alternative perspectives may still exist. Acknowledge the possibility of other viewpoints to maintain objectivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widespread opinion" functions as a noun phrase that refers to a belief, judgment, or view held by a large number of people. It's commonly used to introduce or reference a prevailing sentiment within a population. Examples from Ludwig illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "widespread opinion" is a commonly used noun phrase that indicates a belief or viewpoint held by a large number of people. Ludwig's analysis shows it is grammatically correct and is frequently found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When writing, remember to support your use of the phrase with evidence and avoid presenting it as a universal truth. Alternative phrases, like "general consensus" or "prevailing view", can offer nuanced ways to express the same idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

general consensus

This focuses on agreement among a group about a specific issue.

majority viewpoint

This simply denotes the perspective held by more than half of a population.

prevailing view

This option highlights that a particular perspective is currently dominant.

shared understanding

This phrase focuses on the common ground in interpreting information.

common belief

This alternative emphasizes the acceptance of an idea as true by many.

popular sentiment

This emphasizes the emotional aspect of a widely held view.

public perception

This highlights how something is understood by the general populace.

accepted wisdom

This alternative suggests that the opinion is well-established and trusted.

conventional thinking

This implies that the opinion follows established norms and traditions.

collective judgment

This implies that the opinion has been formed after deliberation by a group.

FAQs

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

You can use "widespread opinion" to introduce a belief or view that is commonly held by many people. For example: "The "widespread opinion" is that the economy will improve next year."

What are some alternatives to "widespread opinion"?

You can use alternatives like "common belief", "prevailing view", or "general consensus" depending on the context.

Is it always accurate to describe something as a "widespread opinion"?

No, not always. It's important to ensure that there is evidence to support the claim that an opinion is indeed widely held and not just a perception or assumption. Always verify the general consensus with data or reliable sources.

What's the difference between "widespread opinion" and "public perception"?

"Widespread opinion" refers to a belief or judgment that is held by many people, whereas "public perception" refers to how something is understood or viewed by the public. While they can overlap, perception is broader and includes understanding as well as opinion.