a commonplace object

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a commonplace object" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an item that is ordinary or frequently encountered in everyday life. Example: "The artist chose to paint a commonplace object, like a coffee mug, to highlight the beauty in the mundane."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They weren't cogitating, recollecting, differentiating; they were seeing a commonplace object.

The New Yorker

But any replica of a commonplace object could have done this; and it was Danto, not Warhol, who provided the intellectual/aesthetic excitement by formulating and developing a brilliant answer to the question.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Peter Sarsgaard, who was the surly bad guy in "Boys Don't Cry," is physically a more commonplace object, with a boyish handsome smile and tousled dark hair.

The New Yorker

Let's reference the Museum of Modern Art's definition: a readymade is a "commonplace prefabricated object isolated from its functional context and elevated to the status of art by the mere act of an artist's selection".

Huffington Post

With its phenomenological approach to its subject matter, Items may qualify better as a design exhibition rather than a fashion one, recalling Antonelli's 2004 MoMA exhibition Humble Masterpieces: Everyday Marvels of Design, a celebration of commonplace objects (M&Ms, Post-It notes) positioned as "service design".

Vice

A character talks about commonplace objects that "give you no trouble" during the day but assume a sinister noisiness at night.

The New York Times

He was compared at the time to the feckless Charles Dickens character Wilkins Micawber (in David Copperfield) and moreover was merchandised on commonplace objects in a 20th-century manner.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unlike American photorealists, who took the world as they found it, Mr. Bravo rooted his commonplace objects in a rich art-historical soil that lent depth and mystery to his work.

The New York Times - Arts

The question is, do Weston's still lives, in all their tonal beauty, their formal perfection, their technical skill, invest these commonplace objects with a heightened presence, or do they capture something innate?

The Guardian - Arts

Among the objects on view are a refugee shelter and boots designed for marching through a minefield, as well as more commonplace objects like baby strollers.

The New York Times

Tate says: "Through rigorous, highly charged arrangements of commonplace objects and materials, Wilkes has developed an articulate and eloquent vocabulary that touches on issues of femininity and sexuality".

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a commonplace object" when you want to emphasize the ordinary or unremarkable nature of something, often to highlight a contrast or unexpected significance.

Common error

Avoid using "a commonplace object" excessively in highly formal or technical writing, as more precise or descriptive language may be appropriate. Consider alternatives like "standard item" or "typical example" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a commonplace object" typically functions as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI suggests, it signifies something ordinary and frequently encountered.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a commonplace object" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something ordinary or unremarkable. According to Ludwig AI, it’s a valid and usable expression. While not overly frequent, it appears consistently in various contexts, especially in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. When writing, consider using this phrase to emphasize the everyday nature of an item, and be mindful of the potential for more precise language in highly formal contexts. Consider using alternatives such as "an everyday item" or "a familiar object" to adjust the tone and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an everyday item

Emphasizes the routine nature of the object, focusing on daily use.

an ordinary thing

Highlights the lack of special qualities or distinction.

a familiar object

Stresses recognition and common experience with the item.

a mundane object

Implies a lack of excitement or interest associated with the object.

a typical object

Suggests the object is representative of a larger category.

a usual object

Focuses on the habitual or expected presence of the object.

a trivial object

Indicates the object's lack of importance or significance.

a workaday object

Connects the object to routine labor or daily tasks.

a standard object

Highlights adherence to a norm or common design.

a run-of-the-mill object

Emphasizes the object's lack of uniqueness or superior quality.

FAQs

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

You can use "a commonplace object" to describe something ordinary. For example, "The artist transformed "a commonplace object", like a spoon, into a sculpture."

What are some alternatives to "a commonplace object"?

Alternatives include "an everyday item", "an ordinary thing", or "a familiar object", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "commonplace object" one word or two?

"Commonplace object" is typically written as two separate words: "a commonplace object".

What does it mean to describe something as "a commonplace object" in art?

In art, describing something as "a commonplace object" often implies the artist is attempting to elevate the ordinary to a level of artistic significance, challenging traditional notions of beauty or subject matter.