a common enough

USAGE SUMMARY

'a common enough' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is not uncommon. For example: "The practice of working long hours is a common enough occurrence in some industries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This is a common enough error.

The New Yorker

It's a common enough sentiment.

The Guardian

It's a common enough scenario.

The New Yorker

To use a common enough word, it's a soul.

Yale University

Obscurity, of course, is a common enough fate for authors.

The New Yorker

It's a common enough subject, especially these days.

The New York Times

It's a common enough story nowadays, especially in California.

The New York Times

It's a common enough procedure that went fine.

The New York Times

It's a common enough complaint, and people reconnect with nonvirtual reality in different ways.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

This kind of thing is a common-enough occurrence in a state that gave Trump 55percentt of the vote.

The Washington Post

Mostly, it seems, it was a common-enough big city and publishing world malady: the towering inferiority complex.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a common enough" to indicate that something is not particularly surprising or noteworthy because it occurs frequently. This phrasing can help to set a tone of familiarity or mild acceptance.

Common error

Avoid using "a common enough" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive and diminish its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms like "quite common" or "not unusual" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common enough" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that the noun is something that occurs with some regularity or frequency. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase being correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a common enough" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey that something is not particularly unusual or surprising due to its frequent occurrence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for written English across various contexts. Its usage is prevalent in news and media, as shown by Ludwig's examples, which also include academic sources. While effective, overusing the phrase should be avoided for stylistic reasons. Consider using alternatives like "quite common" or "not unusual" to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite common

Uses "quite" to emphasize the commonness, offering a slightly different nuance.

fairly typical

Replaces "common" with "typical", suggesting something aligns with a standard pattern.

not unusual

Uses a negative construction to convey that something is expected or frequent.

relatively frequent

Emphasizes the frequency of occurrence, making it a statistical observation.

often encountered

Highlights the experience of regularly coming across something.

widely recognized

Focuses on broad acceptance or understanding of something.

generally known

Implies information is publicly accessible or acknowledged by many.

not out of the ordinary

More formal and emphasizes that something doesn't deviate from the norm.

a familiar sight

Specifically refers to visual experiences that are regularly seen.

nothing new

Suggests the situation has happened before and is predictable.

FAQs

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

You can use "a common enough" to describe something that occurs frequently or is not particularly surprising. For example, "Making mistakes is "a common enough" experience when learning a new skill."

What are some alternatives to "a common enough"?

Some alternatives include "quite common", "fairly typical", or "not unusual", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "common enough" grammatically correct?

Yes, "common enough" is grammatically correct. Adding the article "a" before it, as in ""a common enough"", is also correct and provides a slightly different emphasis.

What does "a common enough" imply about the subject?

Using the phrase ""a common enough"" implies that the subject is not rare or exceptional, and that it is something one might reasonably expect to encounter.