a common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common" is correct and usable in written English.
You might use it when referring to something that is shared or occurring among a group of people or things. For example, "People in the region all share a common language."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a common condition".

The New Yorker

There's a common purpose".

The New York Times

A common ground.

The New York Times

A common error.

The New York Times

That's a common reaction.

The New York Times

It's a common garden.

The New York Times

It's a common pattern.

The New York Times

A common slip.

The New York Times

"That's a common topic.

The New York Times - Sports

Cultivate a common touch.

The New York Times

It's a common denominator".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a common", ensure the noun it modifies is singular and countable. For example, "a common mistake" is correct, whereas "a common mistakes" is not.

Common error

Avoid using "a common" with uncountable nouns. Instead of "a common knowledge", opt for "common knowledge" or "widespread knowledge".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common" functions primarily as a determiner followed by an adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that the noun is typical, frequent, or shared. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common" is a versatile phrase used to describe something as typical, frequent, or shared. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It functions as a determiner-adjective combination, adding emphasis to the noun it modifies. The phrase is prevalent in News & Media sources, but also appears in Wiki and Science contexts. While "a common" can be used in various scenarios, it's important to use it correctly with countable nouns and avoid misusing it with uncountable nouns. Alternatives like "a typical" or "a frequent" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a usual

Substitutes "common" with "usual", implying something that regularly occurs.

a typical

Replaces "common" with "typical", suggesting something representative of a type or group.

a frequent

Uses "frequent" instead of "common", emphasizing the high occurrence rate.

a prevalent

Employs "prevalent" in place of "common", indicating widespread existence or acceptance.

a widespread

Replaces "common" with "widespread", highlighting the extensive distribution or reach.

a general

Uses "general" to convey the sense of being applicable to many or most cases, rather than specific ones.

a shared

Emphasizes that something is possessed or experienced jointly.

a mutual

Highlights reciprocity or shared feelings/actions between two or more parties.

a joint

Suggests something done or held by two or more people together.

a collective

Indicates something done or held by a group of people.

FAQs

How can I use "a common" in a sentence?

You can use "a common" to describe something that is frequently encountered or shared. For example, "It's "a common misconception" that all spiders spin webs" or "They share "a common goal" of improving the community".

What are some alternatives to saying "a common"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a typical", "a frequent", or "a widespread".

Is it correct to say "a common problem" or "common problem"?

Both phrases can be correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "A common problem" refers to one specific problem that occurs frequently, while "common problem" refers to the general category of problems that are frequently encountered.

What's the difference between "a common" and "the common"?

"A common" implies something is typical or widespread among many things. "The common", used as a noun, usually refers to a shared public space or resource, like "the village common".