a commonality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a commonality" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a shared feature, characteristic, or quality among a group of things or people. For example: - Despite their different backgrounds, there was a commonality among the students in their love for music. - Researchers found a commonality between the two species in their mating behaviors. - The two books may seem unrelated, but they share a commonality in their themes of friendship and betrayal. - Despite living in different countries, they found a commonality in their love for cooking.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(I sense a commonality).

The New York Times

The creditors have a commonality of interest.

The New York Times

What I've somehow found is a commonality.

The Guardian

"If anything, we have a commonality of interests," he said.

The New York Times

"It will happen naturally based on a commonality of interests".

The New York Times

Sometimes several groups play at once, though not necessarily with a commonality of purpose.

The New York Times - Arts

A commonality in both regimes' survival is the nationalism those confrontations reflect.

The New Yorker

And any American influences that result, happen only because of shared influence, a commonality.

The Guardian - Music

"There's a commonality of the recognition of the value and importance of religion".

The New York Times

The real imperial glue had to be a commonality of interests and values.

The New Yorker

Running down this list, it isn't too difficult to divine a commonality among subjects.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a commonality", ensure that the shared characteristic or interest is clearly defined and relevant to the context. This enhances clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the importance of "a commonality" if it's a superficial or minor connection. Focus on meaningful similarities to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a commonality" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It denotes a shared quality, interest, or characteristic, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis indicates that "a commonality" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase, primarily used to highlight shared attributes or interests across different entities. As Ludwig AI affirms, its role in fostering understanding is evident across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal communications. While suitable for neutral to formal registers, ensuring relevance and avoiding exaggeration are crucial for effective use. Ludwig's examples showcase its versatility in identifying meaningful connections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a similarity

Focuses on the resemblance or likeness between things.

a shared trait

Emphasizes a specific characteristic that is jointly possessed.

a mutual interest

Highlights a shared interest or concern between parties.

a point of convergence

Suggests a place or idea where things come together or agree.

a connecting link

Implies a bond or element that unites different things.

a common ground

Indicates a basis of shared understanding or agreement.

a shared attribute

Focuses on a characteristic that is possessed by multiple entities.

a unifying factor

Suggests something that brings different elements into a cohesive whole.

a common denominator

Implies a basic similarity or shared aspect that underlies diverse elements.

a correspondence

Highlights the similarity or analogy between two or more things.

FAQs

How can I use "a commonality" in a sentence?

You can use "a commonality" to point out shared traits or interests, for instance: "Despite their different backgrounds, there was "a commonality" in their passion for social justice."

What are some alternatives to "a commonality"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a similarity", "a shared trait", or "a mutual interest".

Is it correct to say "commonality between" or "commonality among"?

Both are acceptable, but "commonality between" is typically used when comparing two items, while "commonality among" is used for three or more items.

What's the difference between "a commonality" and "a universality"?

"A commonality" refers to a shared feature among a specific group, while "a universality" suggests something that applies to everyone or everything.