a really common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a really common" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is frequently encountered or widely known. Example: "This is a really common mistake that many students make on their exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

It's a really common scenario.

The Guardian

It's a really common theme, and I love it.

The Guardian - Tech

"The guy wasn't an idiot," says Egerton. "That's been a really common misconception.

The Guardian - Film

Yeah, yeah - death by mouse, that's a really common cause of mortality.

The Guardian - Money

Which is strange, considering that it's a really common virus, and it's found in your body.

The Guardian

Guitar: Jimi Hendrix He's probably a really common choice but I'd like Hendrix without any fuzz pedals.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

I've always been a really common-sense type of man.

Vice

That is a really, really common scenario.

The Guardian

Such a gesture recognition issue is really common from a theoretical point of view, but we approach it with respect to its particularities in order to derive an original method.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

In the '80s and '90s in the mainstream Christian world, it was not really common for a woman -- especially a married woman and a mother to be a pastor.

Huffington Post

Appearing on MSNBC's Morning Joe on Wednesday, Delaware's Gov. John Markell said that national public opinion polls have showed public support for a "number of these really common sense proposals".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a really common" to emphasize that something is not only frequent but also widely known or understood. This adds a layer of shared experience or recognition to your statement.

Common error

Avoid stacking intensifiers like "really, really common". While occasional emphasis is fine, overuse can weaken your writing and make it sound less credible. Choose stronger words or rephrase for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a really common" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It intensifies the degree to which something is considered ordinary, frequent, or widespread. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is used to emphasize the prevalence of a particular attribute, situation, or idea.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a really common" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective phrase that emphasizes the prevalence or typicality of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in professional or academic writing. The phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media sources and serves to establish a shared understanding of a particular situation or attribute. It's important to avoid overuse of intensifiers and to consider the specific context when choosing between "a really common" and its alternatives like "a very typical" or "a widespread occurrence".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a very typical

Replaces "really common" with "very typical", emphasizing the standard or usual nature of something.

a frequently encountered

Substitutes "really common" with "frequently encountered", focusing on the high occurrence rate.

a widespread occurrence

Replaces the entire phrase to highlight the extensive distribution of something.

a prevalent situation

Changes the focus to "situation" instead of a general attribute, indicating the commonness of a specific scenario.

a commonplace matter

Uses "commonplace matter" to underscore the ordinariness or banality of the subject.

a routinely observed

Emphasizes that something is "routinely observed", suggesting a regular pattern.

a generally accepted

Shifts the meaning to emphasize something is widely believed or approved, not just common.

a usual

Uses the adjective "usual" instead of "really common", meaning habitually or typically performed or occurring.

a standard

Replacing with a "standard" emphasizes something as a model, which is somewhat different than "a really common"

a garden-variety

Implies something is ordinary, lacking distinction, which is a specific type of commonality.

FAQs

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

You can use "a really common" to describe something that occurs frequently or is widely known. For example, "Misunderstanding this rule is "a really common" mistake among beginners".

What phrases are similar to "a really common"?

Similar phrases include "a very typical", "a frequently encountered", or "a widespread occurrence", all suggesting that something happens often or is generally known.

Is it better to say "a very common" or "a really common"?

Both "a very common" and "a really common" are acceptable. "Really" adds a slightly stronger emphasis than "very", but the choice depends on the desired tone and context.

Can "a really common" be used in formal writing?

While "a really common" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "a prevalent" or "a widespread" in academic or professional contexts to maintain a more polished tone.