a relatively common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a relatively common" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is fairly frequent or widespread in a particular context. Example: "This type of error is a relatively common occurrence in programming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a relatively common occurrence.

The New Yorker

"Relish is a relatively common American food, which we'd like to elevate," he said.

The New York Times

This is a relatively common genetic disorder that affects adrenal functioning.

The New York Times

They both share Portuguese ancestry, with Teixeira being a relatively common name in Portugal.

The New York Times - Sports

That kind of pressure on the nerves is a relatively common problem as people get older.

The New York Times - Magazine

Childhood hemiplegia is a relatively common condition, affecting up to one child in 1,000.

The Guardian

This patient had an unusual presentation of a relatively common illness.

The New York Times - Magazine

The mongoose too was a relatively common ship's pet, adept at catching cockroaches and rats.

The Guardian

Psychiatrists say that this "hyperfocusing" is a relatively common feature in individuals with ADHD.

The Guardian

NHS Choices states that UTIs are "a relatively common infection during childhood".

The Guardian

In their hands, for example, the penne pomodoro — a relatively common entree — was revelatory.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a relatively common" to indicate that something occurs more often than not, but not universally. This provides a balanced perspective, avoiding exaggeration.

Common error

Avoid using "a relatively common" when the subject is actually rare or extremely widespread. Ensure your claim aligns with the actual frequency of the phenomenon you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a relatively common" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase. It serves to describe a noun, indicating that the noun it modifies is neither rare nor ubiquitous, but somewhere in between. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to denote something fairly frequent or widespread within a particular context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

44%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a relatively common" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe something that occurs with notable frequency, but without being ubiquitous. It's considered correct according to Ludwig AI, and finds use across various registers, from news media and science to encyclopedias. The key is to use it accurately, ensuring the subject truly fits the description of being more frequent than rare. The phrase is considered very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat common

Emphasizes a slightly lower degree of commonality than the original phrase.

fairly common

Is a more informal and direct synonym, suitable for everyday language.

quite common

Implies a slightly higher degree of commonality, suggesting it's easily found or observed.

reasonably common

Indicates that something is common within certain limits or expectations.

moderately common

Suggests a middle ground between rare and very common.

not unusual

Indicates that something is to be expected or within the realm of normal occurrences.

frequently encountered

Highlights the repeated experience of encountering something.

often observed

Focuses on the act of seeing or noticing something regularly.

widely seen

Suggests broad visibility or occurrence across a wide area or population.

generally prevalent

Is more formal, indicating widespread existence or acceptance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a relatively common" to describe occurrences, traits, or issues that are not rare but also not universal. For example, "Headaches are a relatively common complaint among office workers."

What's a good alternative to "a relatively common"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "somewhat common", "fairly common", or "not unusual" to express a similar meaning.

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

The choice depends on the frequency you want to convey. "A relatively common" suggests it's more frequent than rare, but not exceptionally so. "A very common" implies high frequency and widespread occurrence.

What is the difference between "a relatively common issue" and "a common issue"?

"A relatively common issue" indicates that the issue is more frequent than unusual, but not necessarily widespread. In contrast, "a common issue" simply states that the issue occurs frequently, without the qualifier of being 'relative'.