a common occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something that commonly or frequently happens. For example: "Late night studying is a common occurrence for college students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kidnappings and disappearances are a common occurrence.

The Guardian - Film

"These incidents are clearly a common occurrence.

The Guardian

Because the hydraulics overheat, fire is a common occurrence.

The New York Times

It added: "Unfortunately, this incident is quite a common occurrence.

The Guardian - Business

It was a common occurrence with many guys".

The New York Times

Protests by disgruntled pensioners have become a common occurrence nationwide.

The New York Times

Death by fire in the slums is a common occurrence.

The Guardian

It's not a common occurrence, the protesters say.

The Guardian

They said such run-ins are a common occurrence.

The Washington Post

"Fires were a common occurrence in those days," he says.

The Guardian

It was a common occurrence yesterday that people asked that their last names be withheld.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a common occurrence" to describe events or situations that are frequent or typical, providing context or explaining why something is not unusual. For example: "Delays are a common occurrence during the holiday season."

Common error

While "a common occurrence" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "frequent event" or "typical situation" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common occurrence" functions as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is frequently used to denote that something happens repeatedly. The examples show its use in various contexts, from describing events in news to scientific observations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a common occurrence" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe events, situations, or phenomena that happen frequently. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, primarily in news and media and scientific publications. While it is suitable for general use, varying your language with synonyms like "frequent event" or "typical situation" can enhance writing. It's important to use the correct article "a" and to avoid overuse for stylistic reasons. Overall, the phrase is a standard and accepted part of the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a frequent event

Replaces "occurrence" with "event", emphasizing the happening itself.

a regular phenomenon

Substitutes "occurrence" with "phenomenon", implying something observable and noteworthy that happens repeatedly.

a usual incident

Replaces "occurrence" with "incident", suggesting a specific event that happens regularly.

a typical situation

Shifts focus to the broader context by using "situation" instead of "occurrence".

a recurring matter

Replaces "occurrence" with "matter", implying an issue that comes up repeatedly.

a familiar sight

Changes the focus to visual observation, suggesting something seen often.

a widespread practice

Alters the meaning to suggest a behavior or method that is commonly done.

a general pattern

Implies a recognizable and repeatable sequence or arrangement.

a daily reality

Emphasizes the commonplace and unavoidable nature of something.

nothing new

Expresses that something is expected and not surprising.

FAQs

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

Use "a common occurrence" to describe something that happens frequently or is typical. For example, "Power outages are "a common occurrence" during hurricane season".

What are some alternatives to "a common occurrence"?

You can use alternatives such as "a frequent event", "a typical situation", or "a regular phenomenon" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "an common occurrence" instead of "a common occurrence"?

No, it is not correct. Use "a" before words that begin with a consonant sound, and "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound. "Common" begins with a consonant sound, so the correct article is "a".

What is the difference between "a common occurrence" and "an isolated incident"?

"A common occurrence" refers to something that happens frequently, while "an isolated incident" refers to something that happens rarely or only once.