a commonplace occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a commonplace occurrence" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that is common, everyday, or routine. For example: "Late trains are a commonplace occurrence in this city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The bedtrick may not really be a commonplace occurrence, but it is a commonplace preoccupation.

The New York Times - Books

Is it the size that often makes a commonplace occurrence into a sweet narrative?

The New York Times

He was quite matter-of-fact, as if his Test match ordeal was a commonplace occurrence for a wrist spinner.

The Guardian - Sport

Panasenko accused the human rights advocates of preparing and distributing "statements, papers and reports" demonstrating "torture is a commonplace occurrence in Russian institutions".

The Guardian

But in general the Broadway debut of a television or movie actor has now become a commonplace occurrence, even if anxieties about the ultimate consequences of this strategy — Steve Carell as Richard III? — could keep you up at night.

The New York Times

Fluid leaks in hydraulic and lubricating systems are a commonplace occurrence in much mechanical equipment, and they are undesirable events fuelling increased cost of any manufacturing and equipment maintenance activity.

Rubber Seals for Fluid and Hydraulic Systems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

This could be due to the nature of our study area, or the use of boarding kennels possibly being a more commonplace occurrence in recent years.

BMC Veterinary Research

A turning point, in treating divorce as a commonplace mainstream occurrence, was "Divorce, American Style" (1957) in which comic hay was made of the confusion of custody hours and step relationships.

The New York Times

This somewhat commonplace occurrence has several implications.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

While local adaptation is likely to be of commonplace occurrence, demonstrating its occurrence can be difficult and take substantial research efforts [ 1- 3].

BMC Biology

"On the other hand, he has an instinctive interest in the commonplace occurrences unique to Mexico".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a commonplace occurrence" when you want to emphasize that something is not exceptional or surprising. For instance, "In this neighborhood, petty theft is a commonplace occurrence."

Common error

Avoid using "a commonplace occurrence" in informal contexts where simpler phrases like "happens often" or "is normal" would be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "Arguments are a commonplace occurrence among siblings", try "Siblings argue all the time."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a commonplace occurrence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies or describes a situation, event, or phenomenon as being ordinary or frequent. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a commonplace occurrence" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that is ordinary and happens frequently. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, making it suitable for neutral to formal communication. When aiming for simpler language, consider alternatives like "happens often" or "is common". Though not highly frequent, its usage is consistent and understood, emphasizing the routine nature of an event. The phrase's precision makes it valuable for accurately conveying the ordinariness of a situation in various types of content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a frequent event

Replaces "occurrence" with "event" and "commonplace" with "frequent", emphasizing the high rate of happening.

a common phenomenon

Substitutes "occurrence" with "phenomenon", suggesting a more widespread or observable event.

a routine matter

Changes the phrase to highlight the ordinariness and lack of surprise associated with the situation.

an everyday affair

Replaces both words to create a more casual and relatable expression.

a usual incident

Uses 'incident' as a synonym for occurrence, focusing on a specific event.

a typical episode

Highlights that the event is representative of a pattern or trend.

a standard practice

Shifts the meaning slightly to focus on established methods or procedures that are widely accepted.

a normal situation

Indicates that the event aligns with expected or average circumstances.

a general thing

Expresses the idea in simpler terms, suitable for informal contexts.

a widespread habit

Conveys the idea of a practice that is commonly adopted or observed across a large group.

FAQs

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

You can use "a commonplace occurrence" to describe something that happens frequently and isn't surprising. For example, "Traffic jams are "a commonplace occurrence" during rush hour."

What are some alternatives to saying "a commonplace occurrence"?

Alternatives include "a frequent event", "a common phenomenon", or "a routine matter", depending on the specific context.

Is "commonplace occurrence" formal language?

Yes, "a commonplace occurrence" is considered somewhat formal. In less formal settings, you might prefer saying "happens often" or "is common".

What's the difference between "a commonplace occurrence" and "a rare occurrence"?

"A commonplace occurrence" means something that happens frequently, while "a rare occurrence" means something that seldom happens.