it was generally understood vs it is generally understood

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'It was generally understood' is used when referring to something that was commonly accepted or known in the past. 'It is generally understood' is used when referring to something that is currently commonly accepted or known.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 1530 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to something that was commonly accepted or known in the past.

"it was generally understood"

This phrase is used to indicate that something was commonly accepted or known in the past. It refers to a general understanding that existed at a specific point in time.

Examples:

It was generally understood that he would be the next in line for the promotion.

Show examples from the web [+]

Before our child was born nineteen years ago, it was generally understood among friends and family that the baby would be a girl. After all, women had been the ...
Dec 21, 2013 ... ... with offices right in the G.M. building — and it was generally understood there that Dutch, as Leonard was called, came in early to work on his ...
At the time, it was generally understood that children received some of their physical traits from their mothers and some from their fathers. It was not until 1865 ...
... defamatory to [plaintiff] if it exposed him/her to the contempt and ridicule of others; it is in this sense that [plaintiff] contends that it was generally understood.

Alternatives:

It used to be generally understood

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to something that is currently commonly accepted or known.

"it is generally understood"

This phrase is used to indicate that something is commonly accepted or known at the present time. It refers to a general understanding that exists currently.

Examples:

It is generally understood that honesty is the best policy.

Show examples from the web [+]

Sep 1, 2010 ... It's hard to precisely answer this question, but in my experience (native English speaker from the USA) it is generally understood what FAQ ...
It is generally understood that the principal sterol of fungi is ergosterol. This substance was extracted from ergot by Tanret. (1908), who purified it with notable ...
“.....and it is generally understood that a party hardly ever goes the way it is planned or intended. This last, of course, excludes, those dismal slave parties, ...
It is generally understood today—although lawyers not trained in international law may still rebel against the idea—that principles or rules of international law ...

Alternatives:

It is commonly understood

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it was generally understood vs it is generally understood