a common case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common case" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation or scenario that occurs frequently or is not unusual. Example: "It is a common case for students to struggle with time management while in college."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

"A common case is that a woman goes back to her role and all her clients have been given to other people.

The Guardian

"This is a common case -- people who get decisions for deportation from a court, and then they are not implemented," Mr. Allam said.

The New York Times

The money retrospective on Walsh's lucrative run at the helm of the Knicks was that it was a common case of wanderlust.

The New York Times - Sports

"But I thought the whole point of being an MP was to scrutinise legislation and improve it".Though unusually outspoken, Dr Wollaston is a common case.

The Economist

Minutes before he made his theatrical debut in a production of the documentary play "Guantánamo: Honor Bound to Defend Freedom," DESMOND TUTU, right, the retired South African archbishop who spent most of his life publicly attacking the apartheid regime of his own country, came down with a common case of stage fright.

The New York Times

A common case definition was applied.

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

A common-case design, though, is a perilous alternative, as it gives up much of the design yield.

Integration, the VLSI Journal

It features a unified and low-overhead pipeline flush design, a common-case oriented and efficient single-instruction repeating design, and retimed and single-cycle address generation.

Microprocessors and Microsystems

Table 1 shows that the lower bound of the equation is increasing with the decrease in the number of users in each cell, which is a very common case for a femtocell scenario.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Fired cartridge cases are a common type of evidence found at crime scenes.

Forensic Science International: Genetics

Nonetheless, the examiner felt confident enough to prepare an 11-page report that the plaintiff, in accusing the priest of sexual intent without concrete proof, must have been suffering from a relatively common case of "homosexual panic".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a common case", ensure that the context clearly indicates what makes the case common. Provide specific details to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a common case" as a substitute for specific data or evidence. While it suggests prevalence, it does not replace the need for supporting information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common case" functions as a noun phrase that describes a situation or event that is typical or frequently encountered. It introduces the idea that something is not unusual or rare. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common case" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe typical or recurring situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related content, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. However, it's crucial to provide specific details to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "typical instance" or "frequent occurrence" may offer greater precision depending on the context. Remember not to overgeneralize or use it as a replacement for concrete evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a typical instance

Replaces "common" with "typical" and "case" with "instance", emphasizing the representativeness of the situation.

a frequent occurrence

Substitutes "common" with "frequent" and "case" with "occurrence", highlighting the regularity of the event.

a usual situation

Replaces "common" with "usual" and "case" with "situation", conveying a sense of normalcy.

a standard example

Substitutes "common" with "standard" and "case" with "example", indicating a model or typical instance.

a prevalent scenario

Replaces "common" with "prevalent" and "case" with "scenario", focusing on the widespread nature of the situation.

a routine matter

Substitutes "common" with "routine" and "case" with "matter", suggesting that the situation is part of regular activity.

a regular event

Replaces "common case" with "regular event", focusing on the recurring nature of something.

an ordinary situation

Uses "ordinary" instead of "common", emphasizing the unexceptional nature of the situation.

a familiar pattern

Replaces "common case" with "familiar pattern", highlighting the recognizable sequence of events.

a run-of-the-mill situation

Replaces "common" with "run-of-the-mill", indicating that the situation is ordinary and unexceptional.

FAQs

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

You can use "a common case" to describe situations that happen frequently or are not unusual. For example, "It's "a common case" for students to feel stressed during exams".

What is a more formal alternative to "a common case"?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases like "a typical instance", "a frequent occurrence", or "a standard example" instead of "a common case".

Is it redundant to say "very common case"?

While not strictly incorrect, saying "very common case" can be redundant. Using "common case" already implies that it happens frequently. Consider using alternatives like "extremely common" or "highly prevalent" if you need to emphasize the frequency.

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

"A common case" refers to a situation or event that frequently occurs, while "a common practice" refers to a method or way of doing something that is widely adopted.