a common phenomenon

USAGE SUMMARY

"a common phenomenon" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe situations, events, or trends that are widely experienced and widely accepted. For example: "Climate change is a common phenomenon that many people are concerned about."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it's actually quite a common phenomenon.

The New Yorker

Why, then, is procrastination such a common phenomenon?

The New Yorker

Unpeople are a common phenomenon in the media age.

The Guardian

Prophets were a common phenomenon in Syria-Palestine.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A common phenomenon is the Swiss-system competition divided into sections.

The New York Times

"It's such a common phenomenon here," Reuters quoted the school official as saying.

The New York Times

(This is apparently a common phenomenon; Anthony Tommasini said much the same thing in the Times).

The New Yorker

Tony Blair's inability to control Gordon Brown was only an extreme example of a common phenomenon.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a common phenomenon.

BBC

Drain-back is a common phenomenon for basaltic magmas.

Earth, Planets and Space

Groundwater evaporation is a common phenomenon in the study region.

Applied Water Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a common phenomenon" to introduce widely recognized occurrences or trends, ensuring clarity and context for your readers.

Common error

While "a common phenomenon" is suitable for formal and academic writing, consider using simpler alternatives like "a common thing" or "happens all the time" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common phenomenon" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies or describes a situation, event, or observation that is widely recognized or frequently encountered. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common phenomenon" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively introduces widely recognized occurrences across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. Its application spans from scientific discussions to news reports and business analyses. While the phrase is versatile, remember to consider the context and audience, opting for simpler alternatives in informal settings to maintain an appropriate tone. Considering the usage patterns and guidance provided, employing this phrase with awareness will enhance clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an everyday occurrence

Replaces 'common phenomenon' with 'everyday occurrence', highlighting the routine nature of the event.

a widespread occurrence

Replaces 'phenomenon' with 'occurrence' and 'common' with 'widespread', indicating broad distribution.

a frequent event

Substitutes 'phenomenon' with 'event' and 'common' with 'frequent', suggesting a regular happening.

a typical situation

Changes 'phenomenon' to 'situation' and 'common' to 'typical', implying a standard or expected scenario.

a usual practice

Replaces 'phenomenon' with 'practice' and 'common' with 'usual', indicating a standard way of doing things.

a prevailing trend

Substitutes 'phenomenon' with 'trend' and 'common' with 'prevailing', suggesting a current direction or fashion.

a regular feature

Changes 'phenomenon' to 'feature' and 'common' to 'regular', implying a consistent and expected element.

a general pattern

Replaces 'phenomenon' with 'pattern' and 'common' with 'general', suggesting a widespread design or arrangement.

a commonplace incident

Substitutes 'phenomenon' with 'incident' and 'common' with 'commonplace', indicating an ordinary or unremarkable event.

a familiar sight

Changes 'phenomenon' to 'sight' and 'common' to 'familiar', implying something that is frequently seen or recognized.

FAQs

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

You can use "a common phenomenon" to describe something that occurs frequently or is widely observed. For example, "Increased screen time among children is "a common phenomenon" in modern society."

What's a simpler way to say "a common phenomenon"?

Alternatives include "a common occurrence", "a frequent event", or "a typical situation", depending on the specific context you're describing.

Is it always appropriate to use "a common phenomenon" in writing?

While grammatically correct, "a common phenomenon" might sound overly formal in casual conversations or informal writing. Consider your audience and the context when choosing this phrase.

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

"A common phenomenon" describes something that happens frequently and is widely observed, whereas "a rare occurrence" refers to something that happens infrequently and is not widely observed.