a commonplace event

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a commonplace event" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an occurrence that is ordinary or frequently happening, often implying that it is not remarkable or noteworthy. Example: "The sudden rainstorm was just a commonplace event in this region during the summer months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Eurovision parties are now a commonplace event in the social calendar with Aussies approaching the show like a sport – cheering on their team whilst serving up Croatian beer, Austrian sausages and Greek dips.

BBC

In the past 15 years, the state of the art in metabolic engineering of natural products has advanced from the first proof-of-principle experiment based on minimal known genetics to a commonplace event using highly specific and sophisticated gene manipulation methods.

Metabolic Engineering

The copy which I filed was completely re-written in the Guardian office, a commonplace event in a newsroom.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But what began as a thoroughly commonplace event in our society ended in a Charlie Foxtrot of garbage journalism, courtesy of the local Minneapolis ABC affiliate, KSTP.

Huffington Post

Mr. Upton has a Chekhovian capacity to deflect attention from the crisis to a seemingly commonplace event.

The New York Times

Regarding to composition of previously analysed bronze objects from the Iron Age of Iran (especially Luristan), the binary Cu Sn alloy has been the commonplace event in copper alloys production and no deliberately ternary Cu Sn As or Cu Sn Pb alloys have been used to make metal objects [8, 10 12].

Heritage Science

Seurat's version of this commonplace event is revolutionary.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The rest is the mess of human interaction, a community that forms around the most commonplace events: a phone call that means a relative is visiting, another that means a friend has passed.

The New York Times

Bar and bat mitzvahs have become commonplace events at the new stadium — it has a kosher kitchen — and Jonathan Ballan said he had thought about having his son's reception there since before construction began.

The New York Times - Sports

This mode of expression is breeding a generation that is doing two problematic things simultaneously: having overblown emotional responses to commonplace events, while also being utterly unable to express appropriate and coherent emotions.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are certain commonplace events that rarely make it into screenplays.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a commonplace event" to downplay the significance of something, creating a sense of normalcy or lack of surprise. This can be effective in factual reporting or when trying to avoid sensationalism.

Common error

Avoid using "a commonplace event" excessively in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound dismissive or too informal. Opt for more precise or sophisticated language depending on your target audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a commonplace event" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It describes a specific occurrence as being ordinary and unremarkable, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a commonplace event" is a noun phrase used to describe an ordinary, unremarkable occurrence. According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct and usable in written English. While the phrase is not particularly frequent in general usage, as noted by Ludwig, its use is understood across various contexts, particularly in news and media. To enhance your writing, remember that although grammatically correct and clear, it is important to use "a commonplace event" purposefully, acknowledging that overuse in formal contexts might diminish the perceived sophistication of your writing. Consider related phrases like "a routine occurrence" or "an everyday happening" to add nuance where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a routine occurrence

Focuses on the habitual and expected nature of the event.

an everyday happening

Emphasizes the daily and unremarkable aspect of the event.

a typical situation

Highlights the representativeness and normality of the event.

a frequent incident

Stresses the high frequency with which the event occurs.

a regular feature

Suggests the event is a consistent and predictable part of a larger context.

a familiar sight

Highlights the recognizable and well-known nature of the event.

a garden-variety occurrence

Implies the event is unexceptional and lacks any unique qualities.

a dime-a-dozen event

Highlights the event's abundance and lack of value or importance.

a run-of-the-mill incident

Emphasizes the ordinariness and lack of excitement associated with the event.

nothing out of the ordinary

Directly states the event is unremarkable and aligns with established norms.

FAQs

How can I use "a commonplace event" in a sentence?

You can use "a commonplace event" to describe something that happens regularly and is not particularly special or noteworthy. For example, "In this region, a sudden rainstorm is "a commonplace event" during the summer."

What is a more formal alternative to "a commonplace event"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "a routine occurrence", "a typical situation", or "a frequent incident" instead of "a commonplace event".

Is "commonplace event" always preceded by the article "a"?

While it is grammatically correct to use "commonplace events" in plural form without the article "a", using the singular form "a commonplace event" emphasizes a specific instance and is thus more common.

Which is more appropriate: "commonplace event" or "common event"?

"Commonplace event" implies something is ordinary because it occurs so often that it's unremarkable. "Common event", on the other hand, is more general. The best choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.