a common sort of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common sort of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a typical or usual type of something in various contexts. Example: "This is a common sort of mistake that many people make when learning a new language."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Education

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Mr. Watt left the country of his birth about a year ago after what has become a common sort of encounter there.

The New York Times

This is a common sort of parallelism problem.

The New York Times

Gately'd tell Day how even if they are just clichés, clichés are: (a) soothing, and (b) proclaim a common sort of common sense, and (c) license the universal assent that drowns out silence.

The New Yorker

Headlines called them the Camelot couple, a sample of a familiar tendency by press and television to treat murder victims as paragons - helpful neighbors, brilliant students, with futures full of promise - a common sort of knee-jerk eulogizing that can be counted on to squeeze audience sympathy.

The New York Times - Arts

It's a common sort of excursion at this time of year as countless corps dancers fan out around the country, perhaps with their former schools or in their hometowns, to be Sugarplum Fairies and Cavaliers, principal roles they don't perform with their own companies.

The New York Times - Arts

The question which foundational theories of meaning try to answer is a common sort of question in philosophy.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

A very common sort of theft indeed in Shoplifters of the World Unite.

The Guardian - Music

It is a very common sort of rule of recognition, and it may leave many unanswered questions (as to how to interpret an act, and as to the limits of the power).

SEP

A SNP is the most common sort of genetic variation, consisting of a difference in just a single DNA building block (nucleotide) at a specific location within the genome.

Forbes

A familiar and very common sort of inductive inference involves moving from information to the effect that all observed things of a certain type have a certain property to the conclusion that absolutely all things of the type in question have the relevant property.

SEP

Hence our spectrum included all of the common sorts of mutations that occur in bacteria.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a common sort of", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being categorized or described. Be specific about the characteristics that make it 'common'.

Common error

Avoid using "a common sort of" without providing sufficient context. Saying "That's a common sort of problem" is vague. Instead, specify what makes it common: "That's a common sort of problem, especially among beginners who haven't grasped the fundamentals."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common sort of" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the noun as being typical, usual, or frequently encountered. Ludwig AI confirms that it follows standard grammatical rules and is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Arts

10%

HuffPost

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a common sort of" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for describing something as typical or usual. As Ludwig AI points out, it is correct and serves to categorize nouns as ordinary. While it sees use across various contexts, it is primarily found in news, media, and scientific publications. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "a typical type of" or "a standard form of". When using this phrase, make sure that you specify what exactly you consider common to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a typical type of

Replaces 'sort' with 'type', emphasizing categorization.

a usual kind of

Substitutes 'common' with 'usual' and 'sort' with 'kind', suggesting ordinariness.

a standard form of

Emphasizes conformity to a norm or established pattern.

a prevalent manner of

Highlights widespread existence or occurrence.

a familiar variety of

Conveys a sense of recognition or well-known quality.

a general class of

Suggests a broad grouping or category.

a frequent style of

Focuses on the repeated or habitual nature of something.

a garden-variety instance of

Implies something is ordinary and unexceptional.

a run-of-the-mill example of

Denotes something as being average or unremarkable.

a commonplace iteration of

Highlights the commonness and repetition of an occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "a common sort of" in a sentence?

You can use "a common sort of" to describe something typical or usual. For example, "This is "a common sort of mistake" for new learners."

What phrases are similar to "a common sort of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a typical type of", "a usual kind of", or "a standard form of", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "a common sort of" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a common sort of" might sound slightly informal. Consider using more formal alternatives like "a standard form of" or "a prevalent manner of" in academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "a common sort of" and "a common type of"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable. "Type" might be slightly more precise, while "sort" can sometimes imply a more general or less defined category. The choice often depends on personal preference and the specific context.