Grammar fix
a widespread belief
commonly held opinion
an idea or opinion that many people in a society or group accept as true, even if it may not be based on evidence.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
There is a widespread belief that eating late at night leads to weight gain, although research does not fully support this.
In my country, there is a widespread belief that success is mainly a result of hard work, but I think other factors, like opportunity, also play a significant role.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: a widespread belief of ghosts.
Say: a widespread belief in ghosts. / a widespread belief that ghosts exist.
'A belief IN something' or 'a belief THAT...', not 'of'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Commonly held prevalent conviction' stacks synonyms; 'a widespread belief that' is cleaner.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
a widespread belief that
- that
- in
- there's
- contrary to the