a common symptom of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common symptom of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a typical sign or indication of a particular condition or issue, often in medical or psychological contexts. Example: "Fatigue is a common symptom of depression."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Vomiting is a common symptom of heatstroke.

The New York Times - Sports

A common symptom of autoimmune diseases is debilitating fatigue.

The New Yorker

Paralysis was a common symptom of hysteria in Freud's heyday.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is a common symptom of missing insights.

Harvard Business Review

Pain is a common symptom of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Journal of Psychosomatic Research

Intermittent claudication is a common symptom of peripheral arterial disease.

Journal of Vascular Surgery

It is also a common symptom of people with insomnia.

Independent

A common symptom of paranoid schizophrenia is a distrust of electronic equipment.

The Guardian - Money

Sixty-seven percent of our respondents also struggled with micromanagement, a common symptom of managerial perfectionism.

Harvard Business Review

Denial of having HD is also a common symptom of the disease.

Stanford University

Seemingly untouched by Hollywood, they did not project the jadedness that is a common symptom of stardom.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a common symptom of" to introduce information that is widely recognized and generally accepted within a specific field or area of knowledge. This establishes credibility and informs the reader that the detail is not merely anecdotal.

Common error

Avoid stating that something is "a common symptom of" a condition without providing sufficient context or evidence. While a symptom may be common, it might not apply to all cases or individuals, and overgeneralization can lead to inaccurate assumptions and misdiagnosis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common symptom of" serves as a linking phrase, connecting a specific symptom to a broader condition or disease. Ludwig examples show its usage in diverse contexts like diseases, psychological states, and even business problems, indicating a broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common symptom of" is a widely used phrase that serves to connect a symptom with its associated condition, predominantly in scientific and medical contexts. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for both professional and general audiences. While its usage is predominantly neutral, it carries a degree of formality due to its frequent association with technical information. When using the phrase, it is important to avoid overgeneralization and provide adequate context to ensure clarity and accuracy. Alternatives like "a frequent sign of" or "a typical manifestation of" can be used depending on the desired emphasis and context. Ludwig examples across various domains highlight its versatility in communicating typical indicators of various conditions or issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a frequent sign of

Replaces "symptom" with "sign", emphasizing the indicative nature of the occurrence.

a typical manifestation of

Substitutes "symptom" with "manifestation", highlighting the way something appears or exhibits itself.

a usual indicator of

Employs "indicator" instead of "symptom", focusing on the phrase as a signal or pointer to something else.

a hallmark characteristic of

Replaces "common symptom" with "hallmark characteristic" to suggest a defining or distinguishing feature.

often indicative of

Focuses on what the symptom suggests, rather than directly labeling it as a symptom.

commonly associated with

Shifts the focus to the association between the symptom and the condition, rather than the symptom itself.

a well-known feature of

Highlights the symptom's familiarity, rather than its nature as a symptom.

a regular attribute of

Uses "attribute" instead of "symptom", changing the focus to a quality or characteristic.

a shared trait of

Emphasizes that the symptom is a trait that is shared among instances of a condition.

a typical element of

Replaces "symptom" with "element", presenting the symptom as a component or part of a larger whole.

FAQs

How do I use "a common symptom of" in a sentence?

Use "a common symptom of" to introduce a typical sign or indication associated with a particular condition. For example, "Fatigue is "a common symptom of" depression."

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

You can use alternatives like "a frequent sign of", "a typical manifestation of", or "a usual indicator of" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a common symptom of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a common symptom of" is suitable for formal writing, especially in medical, scientific, or psychological contexts where it's important to clearly identify typical indicators of a condition. It can be used in business writing when describing problems.

What's the difference between "a common symptom of" and "a rare symptom of"?

"A common symptom of" indicates that a sign or indication is frequently observed in a condition, while "a rare symptom of" suggests that the symptom is infrequently seen.