a common happening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common happening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or occurrence that is frequently observed or experienced. Example: "In our community, a common happening is the annual summer festival that brings everyone together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

She had a minor collision at one water station, a common happening when many people are reaching for water bottles.

The New York Times - Sports

He should know: although he has not yet turned 40, Schofield has already secured a professorship in theoretical physics at the University of Birmingham, not a common happening in the UK for someone so young.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Though only 1 or 2 percent of couples experience recurrent pregnancy loss — defined as more than two miscarriages in a row — miscarriage itself is remarkably common, happening to roughly one quarter of all known pregnancies.

The New York Times

If an additional domain in common happens to be more conserved than the domain of interest, unexpected edges will link groups that the investigator would expect to find distant from one another.

Plosone

I write this appalled that attacks like I experienced so long ago, and that I hoped were less common, happened again near me.

HuffPost

Because competition is a common process happening whenever two individuals co-occur1,20,21, the results presented here are applicable to other pairs of co-existing plant species and contribute to better understanding plant community assembly.

Nature

Occasionally you'll get an escapee even if you make an effort to keep fences in good shape, and that's to be expected, but shouldn't be a common thing happening to you.

WikiHow

"A common thing happens," said Nicholas Johnson, director of the state fiscal project at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a research institute in Washington.

The New York Times

He says the name Birú was that of a common Indian happened upon by the crew of a ship on an exploratory mission for governor Pedro Arias de Ávila, and goes on to relate many more instances of misunderstandings due to the lack of a common language.

Wikipedia

The so-called Spider-Man, he said, is "a common criminal who happened to do something pretty stupid".

The New York Times

Voltaire had the priests in, and perhaps even entertained the idea of confessing — partly because he always liked toying with priests, partly because he was genuinely afraid of being thrown into a common grave, as happened to the unshriven.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a common happening" to describe events that are frequently observed or experienced within a specific context. For example, "In this neighborhood, power outages are a common happening during summer storms."

Common error

While grammatically sound, "a common happening" can sound slightly informal or vague in some formal writing. Opt for more precise or sophisticated alternatives like "a frequent occurrence" or "a typical event" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common happening" functions as a noun phrase that describes an event or situation that occurs frequently. It modifies a noun, indicating that the event is not unusual or rare. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common happening" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe events that occur frequently. Ludwig indicates the phrase is usable. While not overly formal, it's suitable for general contexts like news or online articles. More formal alternatives like "a frequent occurrence" may be preferred in professional settings. The analysis shows the phrase appears most often in "News & Media", suggesting a generally accessible register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a frequent occurrence

Emphasizes the repetition of the event.

a frequent event

Emphasizes the recurrence of the event.

a usual occurrence

Focuses on the habitual or customary aspect.

a typical event

Highlights the standard or expected nature of the event.

a typical occurrence

Highlights the ordinary and expected nature.

something that often happens

Uses a more descriptive and less formal tone.

a recurring event

Suggests the event happens repeatedly.

a regular phenomenon

Suggests a pattern or consistent manifestation.

something that commonly occurs

More verbose, focusing on the general frequency.

a commonplace incident

Indicates the event is unexceptional and ordinary.

FAQs

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

You can use "a common happening" to describe an event or situation that occurs frequently. For instance, "Traffic delays are "a common happening" during rush hour".

What are some alternatives to "a common happening"?

Alternatives include "a frequent occurrence", "a typical event", or "a usual occurrence". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "a common happening" formal or informal?

While grammatically correct, "a common happening" leans toward the informal side. In formal writing, consider using more precise and sophisticated language.

What's the difference between "a common happening" and "a common occurrence"?

"A common happening" and "a common occurrence" are very similar. However, "occurrence" is often perceived as slightly more formal and precise than "happening".