widespread view

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'widespread view' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is most often used when referring to a popular opinion or belief that is accepted by a large majority. For example: "It is a widespread view that climate change is a serious threat facing the world today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a widespread view, but it's wrong.

The New York Times

But the numbers of Salvadorans emigrating confirm that it's a widespread view.

Harvard University

This is a widespread view of wedlock, and it may already be the dominant one.

The New York Times

Still, the bizarre coincidence only underscored a widespread view that the huge response was justified.

The New York Times

There is another widespread view of Li's work that is not so flattering.

The New Yorker

There is a widespread view among Spitzer's old friends that politics was always his destiny.

The New York Times - Magazine

There is a widespread view now that there is something wrong with being liberal.

The New York Times

There is a remarkably widespread view that at least gold has had stable purchasing power.

The New York Times

I won't pretend this is a widespread view in finance — or even a large minority.

The New York Times

The surprise for me was the equally widespread view that Yahoo's goose is cooked.

The New York Times

They evinced a widespread view that privacy rules were too loose.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "widespread view", ensure that there is evidence to support the claim that the view is indeed widely held. Avoid using it based on anecdotal evidence alone.

Common error

Avoid assuming that your personal beliefs or the beliefs of your immediate circle constitute a "widespread view". Always verify if the belief is common within a larger population.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widespread view" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a belief or opinion that is commonly held by a large number of people, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

23%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

14%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "widespread view" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a belief or opinion held by a large number of people. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and encyclopedias. While it is generally suitable for neutral registers, it's crucial to ensure that the view is indeed widely held and not merely a personal belief or limited to a small group. Alternatives like "common belief" or "general consensus" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to support your claims with evidence to avoid misattributing acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

common belief

Focuses on the belief aspect, implying a shared acceptance of an idea.

general consensus

Emphasizes agreement among a group, suggesting a shared understanding or decision.

prevailing opinion

Highlights the dominance of a particular opinion at a given time.

commonly held view

Stresses that the view is broadly possessed or maintained by many.

widely accepted idea

Emphasizes the acceptance of a specific idea among a large group.

popular perception

Refers to how something is generally understood or regarded by the public.

general understanding

Highlights a broad agreement or comprehension of a subject.

established notion

Suggests a view that has been recognized and accepted for some time.

conventional wisdom

Implies a traditional and widely accepted belief, often without critical examination.

mainstream thought

Indicates a view that is within the dominant or most common trend of thinking.

FAQs

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

You can use "widespread view" to introduce a commonly held belief or opinion, as in "It's a "widespread view" that technology is essential for progress".

What's a good alternative to "widespread view"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "common belief", "general consensus", or "prevailing opinion".

Is it accurate to use "widespread view" if only a specific group holds that view?

The term "widespread view" suggests that the belief is common among a broad segment of the population. If the view is limited to a specific group, it's more accurate to describe it as a view held by "many members of the group".

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

"Widespread view" refers to a commonly held belief or opinion, which may be subjective or debatable. "Common knowledge", on the other hand, refers to facts that are generally known and accepted as true by most people.