a common characteristic of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a common characteristic of" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a trait or feature that is shared by multiple things or people. Example: Hard work and determination are common characteristics of successful individuals.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is a common characteristic of urban myths.

The Guardian - Music

This is a common characteristic of self-organizing systems.

Harvard Business Review

It is a common characteristic of all sub.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Then again, this is a common characteristic of manifestoes.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Such nebulas are a common characteristic of pulsars.

Harvard University

Environmental inequalities are a common characteristic of urban areas.

Applied Geography

That's a common characteristic of such fantasies: their lack of imagination.

The Guardian - Opinion

That was a common characteristic of earlier recessions in the postwar years.

The New York Times

This is in full agreement with the notion that the Warburg effect is a common characteristic of human carcinomas2,8.

Nature

As predicted, the Bmi1+ cardiac cells had low ROS levels (Fig. 2a), a common characteristic of adult progenitors.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They make the necessary adjustments in liquid and fat to keep the finished product moist and less sticky--a common characteristic of foods prepared with oats.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a common characteristic of", ensure that the characteristic you are describing is genuinely shared by the majority of the items or entities you are referring to. Use specific examples to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a common characteristic of" a group applies universally to all members. Always acknowledge that there may be exceptions or variations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common characteristic of" functions as a descriptor or qualifier. It introduces a trait, quality, or feature that is frequently observed across multiple instances or members of a group, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

23%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common characteristic of" is a versatile phrase used to highlight shared attributes among a group, serving primarily to describe and generalize. Ludwig AI indicates that its grammatical status is correct, and its frequency of usage is very common, particularly within scientific, news, and academic contexts. While the phrase is appropriate for both formal and informal settings, it is crucial to ensure that the characteristic being described is genuinely widespread and not an overgeneralization. Remember to use examples to support your claim. Consider alternatives like "a typical feature of" or "a shared trait among" to adjust the emphasis or nuance of your description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A typical feature of

Replaces "characteristic" with "feature", suggesting a more general or observable aspect.

A shared trait among

Emphasizes the commonality of a specific trait within a group.

A prevalent attribute in

Highlights the widespread presence of a particular attribute.

A usual property of

Focuses on a typical property or quality, implying regularity.

A recurring element in

Suggests that the element appears repeatedly or consistently.

Something often seen in

Emphasizes observability and frequency of occurrence.

What is generally found in

Highlights the general occurrence of the subject being described.

A widespread quality of

Focuses on the broad distribution and inherent nature of the quality.

A familiar aspect of

Highlights the recognizable and well-known nature of an aspect.

Something typical to

Indicates a quality or feature that is normally associated with a specific subject.

FAQs

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

Use "a common characteristic of" to introduce a quality or feature that is frequently observed across multiple instances or members of a group. For example, "A common characteristic of successful entrepreneurs is resilience".

What phrases are similar to "a common characteristic of"?

You can use phrases like "a typical feature of", "a shared trait among", or "a prevalent attribute in" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a common characteristic of" or "a typical characteristic of"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "a common characteristic of" emphasizes that the trait is shared by many, while "a typical characteristic of" suggests that the trait is representative or standard for the group.

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

"Characteristic of" simply indicates that something is typical or associated with a particular subject. Adding "a common" emphasizes that this characteristic is widespread among multiple instances of that subject. For example, "being detail-oriented is characteristic of accountants", but "a common characteristic of top-performing accountants is exceptional organizational skill".