a community thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a community thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an activity, event, or concept that is shared or relevant to a particular community. Example: "The annual festival is really a community thing, bringing everyone together to celebrate our local culture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"Come on, it's a community thing".

The New Yorker

"It's a community thing," Dr. Lawson said proudly.

The New York Times

I think it's just a community thing that everyone was helping each other.

The Guardian

It's a way for us to make church a community thing".

The New York Times

"It's more of a community thing than BAM was," he says.

The New York Times - Magazine

"This was really a community thing, and I had not worked at that level before".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

It was a real community thing, though.

Vice

So it's a whole community thing".

Vice

"It will be a cool community thing," Wills adds.

Huffington Post

And it's just a great community thing.

Huffington Post

(Interview 2) As a rural community things are different.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a community thing" when you want to emphasize that an activity, event, or idea is deeply connected to and driven by a specific community. It suggests shared values and participation.

Common error

While "a community thing" is widely understood, it can sound informal. In professional writing, consider alternatives like "a community initiative" or "a collaborative project" to maintain a more formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a community thing" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a predicate nominative or an appositive. It describes an activity, event, or concept as being closely related to or driven by a community. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a community thing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to highlight the communal aspect of an activity, event, or concept. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable. While it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, its informal tone suggests caution when using it in professional or academic settings. Alternative phrases like "a community initiative" or "a collaborative project" may be more appropriate in those situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a communal matter

Replaces "thing" with "matter", emphasizing the shared nature of the issue or activity.

a neighborhood affair

Specifies the community as a neighborhood, suggesting a local scope.

a collaborative endeavor

Highlights the cooperative aspect of the community activity.

a public initiative

Focuses on the community effort as an organized project.

a civic undertaking

Emphasizes the responsibility and duty aspect of the community involvement.

a local concern

Puts the focus on the importance of the activity for the local community.

a grassroots movement

Implies a bottom-up approach, originating from the community itself.

a shared responsibility

Highlights the collective accountability within the community.

a social enterprise

Suggests a project with a community benefit at its core.

a voluntary effort

Emphasizes that the community is working together without being obligated to do so.

FAQs

What does "a community thing" mean?

The phrase "a community thing" refers to an activity, event, or idea that is strongly associated with and participated in by a particular community. It often implies shared values and collective involvement.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a community thing"?

It's suitable in informal and general contexts where you want to emphasize the community-driven nature of something. However, in formal or professional settings, consider using alternatives like "a community initiative" or "a collaborative project".

What are some alternative phrases to "a community thing"?

Alternatives include "a communal matter", "a neighborhood affair", or "a collaborative endeavor", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a community thing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a community thing" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. However, its informality should be considered when choosing it for formal writing.