a commonplace situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a commonplace situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a scenario that is ordinary or frequently encountered in everyday life. Example: "In a commonplace situation like this, it's important to remain calm and think clearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It has become a commonplace situation: a corporation threatens to move its headquarters out of New York City.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's a kind of commonplace situation that most people have become familiar with".

The New York Times - Sports

It is a classic but commonplace situation in sports where, with the addition of regional networks like YES and national ones like the NFL Network and the Big Ten Network, fans are victimized by battles between networks and cable systems.

The New York Times - Sports

diSessa (1983) explains that 'the most commonplace situation involving forces, pushing on objects from rest, becomes abstracted as the highest priority p-prim that one will use to predict motion in general circumstances' (diSessa 1983, p 30). diSessa also pointed out that even experts likely use this p-prim to explain situations such as this one.

International Journal of STEM Education

It may have resulted from any of a number of commonplace situations — using another insecticide, using a cleaning fluid that contained carbon tetrachloride, or taking one of the so-called tranquillizing drugs, a number (but not all) of which are chlorinated hydrocarbons and possess power to interfere with liver function.

The New Yorker

In other words, commonplace situations -- like being offered wine at a dinner party -- can literally cause the recovering addict's brain to work against his effort to maintain sobriety.

Huffington Post

The films' style was a documentary-like objectivity; actors either were or looked like ordinary people involved in commonplace situations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It creates a parallel to instinctive childhood impulses to invent rules and make games from the most commonplace situations.

The New York Times

On the contrary, it can correctly explain commonplace situations in everyday life, as pointed out earlier.

International Journal of STEM Education

In reality, gun violence tends to be provoked by commonplace situations faced by people who do not stand out as particularly remarkable in terms of their mental well-being, he added.

Huffington Post

As staff members avoided interaction, their diminished information and ability to self-organize effectively increased the risk for harm to residents, in even the most commonplace situations.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a commonplace situation" when you want to emphasize that something is not unique or surprising, but rather a normal and expected occurrence.

Common error

While "a commonplace situation" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced language to describe specific situations.

Linguistic Context

"A commonplace situation" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a scenario or event that is ordinary and frequently encountered. Ludwig confirms its correct usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a commonplace situation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes an ordinary or typical event. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is accurate and applicable across various contexts, with slight nuances achieved through alternative phrasing like "a typical scenario" or "a common occurrence". While suitable for general and news-related content, it might benefit from more precise wording in formal or scientific writing. The phrase serves the purpose of indicating familiarity and lack of exceptionality, setting a context of expected or regular events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a typical scenario

Emphasizes the typicality and predictability of the situation.

a common occurrence

Highlights the frequency with which the situation happens.

a frequent event

Similar to 'common occurrence' but focuses more on the event aspect.

an everyday matter

Suggests the situation is mundane and part of routine life.

a familiar circumstance

Focuses on the known and recognized nature of the situation.

a regular incident

Implies the situation happens at consistent intervals.

a standard affair

Suggests the situation adheres to a set pattern or expectation.

a run-of-the-mill case

Highlights the ordinariness and lack of exceptional qualities.

a garden-variety issue

Emphasizes the commonness and lack of uniqueness of the problem.

a usual state of affairs

Indicates the situation is the normal or expected condition.

FAQs

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

You can use "a commonplace situation" to describe an event or scenario that is neither new nor surprising. For example, "Corporations threatening to leave a city is "a commonplace situation" nowadays."

What's a good alternative to "a commonplace situation"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a typical scenario", "a common occurrence", or "an everyday matter".

Is "a commonplace situation" formal or informal?

"A commonplace situation" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more precise language may be preferred in highly formal writing.

What makes "a commonplace situation" different from "an unusual situation"?

"A commonplace situation" describes something that is typical and expected, while "an unusual situation" refers to something that is rare or unexpected. They are contrasting concepts.