a common sentiment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common sentiment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling or opinion that is widely shared among a group of people. Example: "Many people feel that climate change is a pressing issue; this is a common sentiment among environmental activists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It seemed a common sentiment.

The New York Times

Was that a common sentiment?

The New York Times

That is a common sentiment.

The New York Times

It's a common sentiment inside the Beltway.

The New York Times

This is a common sentiment around these parts.

The New York Times - Travel

He echoes a common sentiment in the Kingdom.

The Guardian

This is a common sentiment within these halls.

Independent

Sheikh Fadel said that this was a common sentiment in the neighborhood.

The New Yorker

Is this a common sentiment in Nigeria among university-educated people?

The New Yorker

It was a common sentiment on a joyous, if grey and blustery day.

The Guardian

In Benghazi, an influential businessman named Sami Bubtaina expressed a common sentiment: "We want democracy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a common sentiment" to introduce an opinion or feeling that is broadly held within a specific group or community, providing context for the subsequent discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "a common sentiment" when the feeling or opinion is not genuinely widespread; ensure you have evidence or observation to support the claim of commonality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common sentiment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object to introduce or describe a widely held feeling or opinion. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Academia

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common sentiment" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that introduces a widely held feeling or opinion. Ludwig's analysis indicates its prevalence in news and media, as well as academic contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure that the sentiment is genuinely widespread to avoid overgeneralization. Consider alternatives such as "a widespread feeling" or "a shared belief" to fine-tune the nuance. With its AI confirming its validity, it's clear that "a common sentiment" is a reliable choice for expressing collective perspectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a widespread feeling

Focuses on the breadth of the feeling rather than the articulated opinion.

a shared belief

Emphasizes the cognitive aspect of the sentiment, implying a common acceptance of an idea.

a prevailing opinion

Highlights the dominance or influence of the opinion.

a general consensus

Implies a broader agreement reached after discussion or consideration.

a collective view

Stresses the group nature of the opinion.

a mutual understanding

Suggests a deeper level of agreement beyond just a sentiment.

a public mood

Refers to a general emotional state within a population.

a dominant viewpoint

Highlights the strength and prevalence of the perspective.

a popular notion

Indicates that the idea is widely accepted or favored.

a typical reaction

Focuses on the expected or usual response to a situation.

FAQs

What does "a common sentiment" mean?

The phrase "a common sentiment" refers to a feeling, opinion, or attitude that is shared by many people within a particular group or society.

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

You can use it to introduce an idea that is widely held, like: "There's "a common sentiment" that the government should do more to address climate change".

What can I say instead of "a common sentiment"?

You can use alternatives like "a widespread belief", "a shared view", or "a prevailing opinion" depending on the context.

Is "common sentiment" formal or informal?

While the phrase "a common sentiment" can be used in various contexts, it generally maintains a neutral to slightly formal tone, making it suitable for both academic and journalistic writing.