a common situation

USAGE SUMMARY

"a common situation" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, "John had to deal with a common situation of budgeting for an expensive purchase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"That's a common situation," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

It is, many pediatricians said, a common situation.

The New York Times

It's a common situation and we're used to it".

Independent

Evidently financial difficulties plagued this congregation throughout the entire antebellum period, which was a common situation.

Cornell University

Unfortunately, his organisation operates on virtually no budget; a common situation in Oklahoma.

The Guardian

The sisters are in a common situation, said Helga's lawyer, Andrew Towner of East Hampton.

The New York Times

Mrs. Barry was in a common situation, said Margaret Keaveney, communications director for Catholic Charities.

The New York Times

This is a common situation, especially for mosques that are attached to major charitable foundations.

The New Yorker

F.D.A. officials said they relied on inspections by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, a common situation.

The New York Times

This is a common situation in quantum physics: probabilities are predicted, but individual events are not.

The Guardian

High complexity and variety is a common situation nowadays in most enterprises.

Procedia Computer Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a common situation" to describe scenarios that are frequently encountered or widely recognized. It's effective when you want to emphasize the typicality of an event or circumstance.

Common error

While "a common situation" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your text sound less sophisticated. Vary your language with synonyms like "typical scenario" or "frequent occurrence" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common situation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object. It identifies a scenario that is frequently encountered or widely recognized. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common situation" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe frequently encountered scenarios. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. While predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for various writing styles. Be mindful of overuse in highly formal contexts, and consider using synonyms to enhance sophistication. The phrase effectively conveys the typicality of an event, making it a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a typical scenario

Replaces "situation" with "scenario", emphasizing the sequence of events or circumstances.

a frequent occurrence

Substitutes "common situation" with "frequent occurrence", highlighting the regularity of the event.

a usual circumstance

Replaces "common situation" with "usual circumstance", focusing on the normality of the event.

a widespread phenomenon

Emphasizes the broad reach and prevalence of the "situation".

a general pattern

Focuses on the recurring nature and recognizable form of the "situation".

a familiar problem

Narrows the scope to problematic "situations" that are often encountered.

a recurring issue

Highlights the repetitive nature of the "situation", framing it as a problem or concern.

a normal state of affairs

Implies that the "situation" is expected and in accordance with the norm.

a shared experience

Focuses on the collective aspect, emphasizing that many people undergo the "situation".

a prevalent condition

Indicates that the "situation" is widespread and currently existing.

FAQs

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

You can use "a common situation" to describe something that happens frequently. For example, "Dealing with technical difficulties is "a common situation" in the IT department."

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

You can use alternatives like "a typical scenario", "a frequent occurrence", or "a usual circumstance depending on the context.

Is "a common situation" formal or informal?

"A common situation" is generally considered neutral, suitable for most contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might prefer more sophisticated alternatives such as "a prevalent condition" or "a widespread phenomenon".

What's the difference between "a common situation" and "a normal situation"?

While similar, "a common situation" emphasizes frequency, whereas "a normal situation" suggests conformity to an expected standard or state. "A normal situation" implies something is as it should be, while "a common situation" simply means it happens often.