Grammar fix
conventional wisdom
commonly accepted belief or opinion
the generally accepted view or belief about something, especially one that many people accept without questioning, even if it might not be true
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- Conventional wisdom says that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but recent studies suggest otherwise.society
- While conventional wisdom holds that older workers are less adaptable to new technology, my experience suggests the opposite is often true.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: conventional wisdom (is/holds/suggests that) + clause
WrongThe conventional wisdoms say it's risky.
RightConventional wisdom says it's risky.
Uncountable, no plural; usually no 'the' at the front of the phrase.
Patternconventional wisdom (is/holds/suggests that) + clause
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Prevailing orthodoxy' is academic; 'conventional wisdom says...' is the readable version.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
conventional wisdomchallengesaysaccording todefies
Don't confuse it
Unlike 'common sense', which refers to practical, everyday reasoning, 'conventional wisdom' refers to beliefs or ideas that are widely accepted, whether or not they are actually true or logical.