a common company

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common company" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a company that is widely known or frequently encountered in a particular context or industry. Example: "In the tech industry, Apple is often considered a common company that many people are familiar with."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

NatWidgCo was on the verge of collapse from too many layers of feuding managers and too many departments that seemed unconnected from a common company goal.

Forbes

The better culture is, the much more working environment is creative, innovative and competitive for a common company's development and employee's career development.

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The enduring consensus seems to be that such layouts may perhaps help to build a sense of common company identity, purpose, and approachability between teams or management levels, as intended.

Vice

Hardly common company for a Republican.

The New York Times

(Putting merged Landesbanks under a common holding company would be one way to preserve regional identities).A shortage of eligible buyers also gums up the system.

The Economist

At issue was whether TransCanada is a common carrier — a company with pipeline open to any oil company willing to pay published rates.

The New York Times

As the recession drags on, "uncertainty" has become a common phrase in company earning calls.

The Economist

If Ms. Whitman can drive home a common definition, the company can get back to work on growing in a specific direction.

The New York Times

Congress enacted HSAs a little more than a year ago, and over the next few years they will become a common feature of company health care plans.

Forbes

On Dec. 15 the company announced that it would buy back about half of its outstanding stock for $8 a share -- a common move for companies whose share price declines.

The New York Times

That is a common quandary for companies, said Dr. Peter Heseltine, medical director for infectious diseases at Quest Diagnostics, the nation's largest clinical laboratory company, which is developing its own SARS test.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "a common company" when you want to convey that a company is typical, standard, or generally known within a specific industry or context. For example, "In the tech world, Google is a common company many aspire to work for."

Common error

Avoid using "a common company" when you actually mean "a communal company" or a company owned by a community. The word "common" refers to prevalence or typicality, not shared ownership or community involvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common company" functions as a noun phrase, where "common" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "company". Ludwig examples illustrate how this phrase is used to describe a company that is typical or frequently encountered.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common company" is a phrase used to describe a company that is typical or frequently encountered, particularly within a specific industry or context. While grammatically correct, its frequency is relatively rare. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. The phrase is most often found in news and media and science sources. When using this phrase, ensure that you're conveying the sense of typicality or prevalence, rather than shared ownership or community involvement. Alternatives such as "typical company" or "familiar company" may be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A typical company

Replaces "common" with "typical", focusing on the representative nature of the company.

A familiar company

Focuses on the company being well-known or recognized.

A standard company

Substitutes "common" with "standard", highlighting that the company adheres to established norms.

A usual company

Uses "usual" instead of "common", emphasizing the routine or expected nature of the company.

A well-known company

More directly states the company is widely recognized.

A shared company

Emphasizes the aspect of common ownership or involvement rather than typicality.

A general company

Replaces "common" with "general", referring to a company without specific distinguishing characteristics.

A frequent company

Highlights the company's high occurrence or visibility within a given context.

A prevalent company

Emphasizes the widespread existence or influence of the company.

A garden-variety company

Implies the company is ordinary and unremarkable.

FAQs

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

You can use "a common company" to describe a company that is typical or frequently encountered in a particular industry. For example, "In the automotive industry, Ford is a "common company"."

What's a good alternative to "a common company"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "a common company" include "typical company", "standard company", or "familiar company".

Is it better to say "a common company" or "an ordinary company"?

While both phrases suggest a lack of uniqueness, "a common company" implies prevalence within a specific context, whereas "an ordinary company" suggests a lack of distinction in general. The better choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How does "a common company" differ from "a well-known company"?

"A "well-known company"" implies that many people are aware of the company. Whereas, "a common company" focuses on its typicality within a specific field, even if it's not universally recognized.