Common good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Common good" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing benefits or interests that are shared by a community or society as a whole. For example, "The new policy aims to promote the common good by ensuring access to education for all." Alternative expressions include "public interest," "collective benefit," and "shared welfare."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Common good" is very often a safer translation of bonum commune than "the common good".

SEP

Common good capitalism is inevitable.

Huffington Post

"Common ground cannot be found by destroying the common good".

The New York Times

Land represents a common good.

The Guardian

"Secularism is our common good," Bouvet said.

The New Yorker

Slogan: "Standing for the common good".

The Guardian

"First: a conception of the common good.

Independent

That's your contribution to the common good".

The New York Times

That's working for the common good.

The Guardian

"The Common Good" represents a meeting of choreographic minds.

The New York Times

Like Brown, Osborne puts political advantage above the common good.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "common good", ensure the context clearly defines whose interests are being served. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "common good" when the benefit primarily serves a select group. Ensure the action or policy genuinely benefits the community as a whole, not just a few.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "common good" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It denotes the collective benefits or welfare of a community or society, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "common good" is a frequently used noun phrase that denotes the collective benefits and welfare of a community. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in diverse contexts such as News & Media and Science. When writing, ensure the context is clear and that the benefit genuinely extends to the community as a whole. Alternatives like "public interest" and "general welfare" offer similar meanings, each with slightly different nuances. Knowing the best practices and most common errors will allow you to craft a writing that is appropriate and clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

public interest

Focuses on the benefits to the population at large, shifting the emphasis from a collective "good" to collective "interest".

social good

Emphasizes the benefits to society as a whole, particularly in ethical and philanthropic contexts.

general welfare

Highlights the overall well-being and prosperity of a community, implying a broader scope than simply "good".

collective benefit

Emphasizes the advantages gained by a group as a whole, differing slightly by foregrounding the tangible "benefit".

greater good

Implies a moral dimension, suggesting that actions are taken for a purpose that transcends individual interests and serves a larger ethical framework.

societal well-being

Broader term that includes physical, mental, and social health and happiness of society.

community benefit

Specifies the beneficiaries as a particular "community" rather than the public at large.

public weal

An older, more formal term for public welfare, offering a more traditional tone.

shared prosperity

Highlights the economic dimension of common benefit, emphasizing shared wealth and success.

mutual advantage

Focuses on benefits that are reciprocally gained, suggesting a more transactional or cooperative aspect.

FAQs

How is "common good" used in a sentence?

The phrase "common good" typically functions as a noun. For example: "The new policy is designed to serve the "public interest" and promote the "common good"."

What's the difference between "common good" and "public good"?

While similar, "common good" often implies a broader range of benefits, including social and ethical considerations. "Public good" can refer more specifically to goods or services accessible to all. Both aim to benefit the population, but "common good" has a wider scope.

What are some synonyms for "common good"?

Alternatives include "public interest", "general welfare", "collective benefit", or "societal well-being". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say 'a common good'?

Yes, "a common good" is correct when referring to something, like resources, available to everyone, but is rivalrous and non-excludable. Examples include fish stocks in international waters. Use the phrase "a common good" when referring to specific goods of that type.