a more common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a more common" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the frequency or prevalence of something in relation to another. Example: "In recent years, online shopping has become a more common practice among consumers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But drought is a more common problem.

The Economist

Rangeland grazing is a more common pursuit.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Instead, they picked a more common experimental substance, n-heptane.

The New York Times - Science

This is a more common phenomenon than one might imagine.

The New York Times - Books

A more common conclusion is one rat per human.

The New York Times

This is a more common problem than you might expect.

The New Yorker

A more common occurrence, if not exactly frequent.

The New York Times - Books

I translated that into a more common word: dark.

The New York Times - Science

A more common reaction was that of the Rio de Janeiro newspaper O Globo.

The New York Times

Jhabvala's rootlessness, her "changing countries like lovers", is now a more common condition.

The Guardian - Film

Solitary recusals resulting in a 4-to-4 deadlock are a more common occurrence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a more common", ensure you are making a clear comparison. What is the alternative, and why is "a more common" choice preferable or simply more frequent?

Common error

Avoid using "a more common" without specifying what it's more common than. Always provide a clear reference point for the comparison to avoid ambiguity. For example: "Hybrid cars are a more common sight on roads now than they were ten years ago."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a more common" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to modify a noun, indicating that the noun is more frequently observed, experienced, or utilized than something else. Ludwig confirms that it is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a more common" is a versatile comparative adjective phrase used to indicate that something occurs more frequently than something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across different contexts. When employing "a more common", ensure a clear comparison is established to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "a more frequent" or "a more prevalent" can be used to add variety to your writing. Being able to use this phrase effectively contributes to clearer and more informative communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A more typical

Focuses on representativeness rather than mere frequency.

A more widespread

Emphasizes the broad distribution or reach.

A more prevalent

Highlights the dominant presence or occurrence.

A more frequent

Directly indicates a higher number of instances.

A more usual

Suggests that something is the standard or expected.

A more ordinary

Conveys a sense of normality and lack of uniqueness.

A more conventional

Implies adherence to established norms or practices.

A more established

Highlights that something has been around for long time and got rooted.

A more recognized

Highlights that something is well known and accepted.

A more familiar

Highlights that something is well known and accepted.

FAQs

How can I use "a more common" in a sentence?

Use "a more common" to compare the frequency or prevalence of one thing to another, indicating that the first is observed or experienced more often. For example, "Online shopping is a more common activity than visiting physical stores for many people now".

What's a good substitute for "a more common"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a more frequent", "a more prevalent", or "a more typical".

Is it always necessary to specify what something is "a more common" than?

Yes, it's best practice to specify the comparison to avoid ambiguity. While sometimes the context implies the comparison, explicitly stating it makes your writing clearer and more precise. For example: 'Using renewable energy is a more common practice now than it was a decade ago'.

What is the difference between "a more common" and "a most common"?

"A more common" implies a comparison between two or more things, indicating one is more frequent than the others. "A most common" indicates that something is the most frequent or prevalent, surpassing all others in the group.