a common solvent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common solvent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in scientific or technical contexts when discussing substances that dissolve other materials. Example: "Water is often referred to as a common solvent due to its ability to dissolve a wide range of substances."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

To do that they are both dissolved in a common solvent, then left alone to crystallise together.

The Economist

A common solvent for zein is aqueous ethanol.

Journal of Cereal Science

The chemical interactions have been further confirmed by swelling studies in a common solvent.

Polymer

Tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) is a common solvent used for extracting metal ions from acidic solutions.

Chemical Engineering Science

Copolymers containing more than 25 mol% vinyl phenol form complexes with PVP, which precipitate in solution with a common solvent.

Polymer

WAXS measurements show that both polymers crystallize in different unit cells already during precipitation from a common solvent.

Polymer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Certain cellulose samples, especially those of higher molecular weight, are initially insoluble in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc, 1)/lithium chloride, which is a very common solvent system for cellulosic materials.

Polymer

The components were dissolved in a small volume of common solvent, and placed inside a tablet tube inside a vial and the tablet tube was then covered with aluminium foil, which was punctured by using a needle.

Chemistry - A European Journal

The critical water content (cwc) and the morphologies were studied as a function of the common solvent, initial copolymer concentration and architecture (di or triblock) by static light scattering and by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), respectively.

Polymer

Nanostructured hybrid polymeric materials based on carbon nanotubes (CNT):carbon black(CB) and CNT carbon nanofibers (CNF) were fabricated by solution processing in a common good solvent for all components.

Materials & Design (1980-2015)

Also, the activity is more than 10 times greater than that in methanol, a common organic solvent used for HRP.

Tetrahedron Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a solvent, specify its chemical properties and applications in the context of your research or discussion to provide a more complete understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "a common solvent" without specifying the substances it effectively dissolves. This provides readers with necessary context regarding its use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common solvent" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a solvent that is widely used or recognized. Ludwig AI indicates the expression is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common solvent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, predominantly found within scientific literature. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. The phrase serves to identify or describe a widely used dissolving agent, emphasizing its prevalence within a given field. While generally applicable, it's best practice to specify the solvent and its particular uses for added clarity. Alternatives like "a frequently used solvent" or "a typical solvent" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a frequently used solvent

Replaces "common" with "frequently used", emphasizing the high rate of usage.

a typical solvent

Substitutes "common" with "typical", indicating a representative example rather than widespread use.

a standard solvent

Replaces "common" with "standard", implying adherence to a recognized norm or specification.

a widely employed solvent

Emphasizes the extent of use, replacing "common" with "widely employed".

a prevalent solvent

Highlights the abundance or dominance of the solvent, replacing "common" with "prevalent".

a general-purpose solvent

Specifies the solvent's broad applicability, rather than just its commonness.

a conventional solvent

Implies the solvent is used according to established practices.

a routine solvent

Indicates the solvent is part of the usual or expected procedure.

a familiar solvent

Focuses on how well-known the solvent is.

a universal solvent

Suggests the solvent can dissolve most substances.

FAQs

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

You can use "a common solvent" when discussing substances that dissolve other materials, like "Water is often referred to as "a common solvent" due to its ability to dissolve a wide range of substances".

What are some alternatives to using "a common solvent"?

You can use alternatives such as "a frequently used solvent", "a typical solvent", or "a standard solvent" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "a common solvent" or "a universal solvent"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings. "A common solvent" refers to a solvent that is widely used, while "a universal solvent" suggests a solvent capable of dissolving most substances, though no true universal solvent exists.

Is it always necessary to specify the common solvent?

While not always required, specifying the solvent adds clarity and avoids ambiguity, especially in technical or scientific writing. For example, stating "water is "a common solvent"" is more informative than simply stating ""a common solvent" is used".