a common passion for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common passion for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express shared enthusiasm or interest in a particular subject or activity among a group of people. Example: "The team bonded over a common passion for environmental conservation, working together on various projects to make a difference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

And the two men shared a common passion for bridge.

The New York Times

We had a common passion for trying to understand war, and trying to make a difference.

The Guardian

The friends sang in the school choir and developed a common passion for classical and avant-garde music and jazz.

Independent

We shared a common passion for uncontemporary cinema, and I loved introducing him to Renoir films he didn't know, because I was so sure he'd understand them.

The Guardian - Arts

We discovered a common passion for a most uncommon film: Marguerite Duras's "The Truck," which she saw while serving on the jury of the Cannes Film Festival in 1977.

The New Yorker

Yet Mr. Tykwer and Kieslowski share a common passion for the characters they have created, Mr. Piesiewicz said, as well as a Hitchcockian fascination with the quirks of fate and coincidence.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The early members also shared a mutual zeal for intellectual progress and a common passion to rid accounting practices of its defects.

Accounting, Organizations and Society

And we had common regrets: we regretted the glaring absence of a pipe organ at Avery Fisher Hall, and we regretted being unable, for practical reasons, to unleash on the New York public our common passion for the music of Carl Orff, in particular his chanted quasi-operatic drama "Antigone".

The New York Times - Arts

Ms. Casiraghi insists she is promoting only the Gucci "spirit," not Gucci products".I've always refused to associate myself with a brand," she told French Elle.The ad campaign "pays homage to the Gucci spirit, to 90 years of the history of the house, to our common passion for horsemanship.I do not represent any product or any collection".

The New York Times

"We have a passion in common, a passion for extremely young models, in whom their beauty is still untouched," he said of Balthus.

The New York Times - Arts

They were set up last year by a friend who noticed that they had in common a passion for observation, a habit of fixating on and documenting the quirks of New York — unusual manhole covers, inconsistent typography on street signs, overlooked designs of rare beauty.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a common passion for", ensure that the subject truly reflects a shared enthusiasm to avoid exaggeration. For example, instead of saying "They had a common passion for work", consider if the object of passion is more specific.

Common error

While "a common passion for" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using alternatives like "a shared enthusiasm for" or "a mutual interest in" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common passion for" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a shared enthusiasm or interest among individuals or groups. It highlights a unifying element that connects people through a mutual liking or dedication.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common passion for" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a shared enthusiasm or interest, as also stated by Ludwig AI. Although relatively uncommon, it appears across diverse sources, especially in news and media. To enhance writing, avoid overuse and consider alternatives such as "a shared enthusiasm for" or "a mutual interest in". Keep in mind that the correct preposition is "for", and this construction effectively highlights connections and shared experiences between individuals or groups.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shared enthusiasm for

Replaces "passion" with "enthusiasm", focusing on excitement and eagerness.

a mutual interest in

Substitutes "passion" with "interest", suggesting a less intense but still shared liking.

a joint fascination with

Uses "fascination" to convey a strong and captivating interest.

a collective zeal for

Employs "zeal" to indicate a fervent and dedicated enthusiasm.

a united dedication to

Shifts focus to commitment and devotion.

a converging love of

Replaces "passion" with "love", highlighting affection and fondness.

a kindred spirit in

Emphasizes the shared emotional connection and affinity.

a like-minded interest in

Highlights the similarity in thinking and perspective.

a simultaneous ardor for

Uses "ardor" to suggest intense enthusiasm and fervor.

a parallel appreciation of

Focuses on shared understanding and value.

FAQs

How can I use "a common passion for" in a sentence?

You can use "a common passion for" to describe a shared enthusiasm or interest, as in, "The artists bonded over a common passion for impressionism."

What are some alternatives to "a common passion for"?

You can use alternatives like "a shared enthusiasm for", "a mutual interest in", or "a joint fascination with depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "a common passion about" instead of "a common passion for"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "a common passion" is "for". Saying "a common passion about" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "a shared passion for" and "a common passion for"?

While both phrases are similar, "a shared passion for" emphasizes the act of sharing, whereas "a common passion for" emphasizes that the passion is held by multiple people. In most contexts, they are interchangeable.