a common class of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common class of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a group or category that shares similar characteristics or features. Example: "In biology, a common class of organisms includes mammals, which are characterized by their warm-blooded nature and fur or hair."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

These studies involved triptans, a common class of migraine drugs.

The New York Times - Health

This imprecision is inherent for a common class of environmental modeling.

Encyclopedia of Ecology

The label for the impotence pill warns against mixing Viagra with a common class of heart drugs known as nitrates.

The New York Times

Daily use of a common class of antidepressant may double the risk of fracture in people older than 50, a Canadian study reports.

The New York Times - Health

Problems can also arise if someone takes ayahuasca — with its potent MAOI — on top of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, a common class of antidepressants.

The New Yorker

A study led by Columbia oncologist Dawn Hershman '01PH shows that joint pain caused by a common class of breast-cancer drugs can be reduced with acupuncture.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Cholecystitis is not considered a common class effect of VEGF R) inhibitors, although three other small-molecule inhibitors (sunitinib, cediranib, and sorafenib) have reported its occurrence [ 2, 22, 23].

BMC Cancer

These searches included "My dad hit me" or "Why did my father beat me?" I also examined a more common class of Google queries: those that include the words "child abuse" or "child neglect".

The New York Times

Consistently, 12a was the most active with all the other anti-inflammatory test descriptors and its activity in diminishing the PGE2 with the other analogs confirmed the elaboration of new class of selective COX-2 inhibitors beyond the diarylsulfonamides as a previously common class of selective COX-2 inhibitors.

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry

A less common class of toxins are toxic enzymes: these act as irreversible inhibitors of their target enzymes and work by chemically modifying their substrate enzymes.

Wikipedia

Moreover, all fibers of a common class usually have constant and previously known diameters [5].

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a common class of", ensure that the noun following 'of' accurately reflects the shared characteristics of the elements within the class. For instance, "a common class of antibiotics" implies that the antibiotics share similar mechanisms or uses.

Common error

Avoid using "a common class of" when referring to a group that is actually quite diverse or specialized. For example, avoid saying "a common class of software applications" if you're only referring to applications for data analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common class of" functions as a pre-modifier, specifying the type or category of something. It serves to denote a group that is frequently encountered or widely recognized. This aligns with the examples found by Ludwig, which demonstrate its use in diverse contexts like medicine, ecology, and technology.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

35%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common class of" is a versatile phrase used to denote frequently encountered groups or categories. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its usage is most frequent in scientific and news media contexts, where it serves to provide context and categorize information. When using this phrase, ensure that the subsequent noun accurately reflects the shared characteristics of the group and avoid overgeneralization. For alternatives, consider phrases like "a typical type of" or "a frequent kind of". Overall, this phrase is a valuable tool for clear and concise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a typical type of

Replaces "common class" with a more general term, focusing on typicality rather than prevalence.

a frequent kind of

Substitutes "common class" with "frequent kind", emphasizing the high occurrence rate.

a prevalent category of

Replaces "common" with "prevalent", highlighting widespread existence within a category.

a widespread form of

Focuses on the extent of distribution rather than typicality, using "widespread" instead of "common".

a familiar group of

Emphasizes recognition and familiarity rather than pure frequency, using "familiar" in place of "common".

a regular sort of

Replaces "common class" with "regular sort", suggesting ordinariness and predictability.

a usual variety of

Substitutes "common class" with "usual variety", emphasizing typical occurrence.

a standard type of

Focuses on conformity to a norm or standard, using "standard" in place of "common".

a general category of

Highlights the broad applicability of the category, replacing "common" with "general".

a recognized type of

Stresses acknowledgement and acceptance, substituting "common" with "recognized".

FAQs

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

Use "a common class of" to introduce a group or category that shares similar traits or functions. For example, "Triptans are "a common class of" migraine drugs."

What are some alternatives to "a common class of"?

You can use alternatives such as "a typical type of", "a frequent kind of", or "a prevalent category of" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a common class of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a common class of" is suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific, academic, or business contexts. It clearly and concisely identifies a well-known group or category.

What's the difference between "a common class of" and "a typical example of"?

"A common class of" refers to a group or category that is frequently encountered, while "a typical example of" refers to a representative instance within that group. For example, "antibiotics" are a common class of drugs, and "penicillin" is a typical example of an antibiotic.