a sort of things in common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sort of things in common" is not correct in English.
It should be "a sort of thing in common." You can use it when discussing shared characteristics or similarities between people, groups, or items. Example: "Despite their different backgrounds, they found a sort of thing in common that brought them closer together."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now write a sort of things you are interested in.

WikiHow

Apparently, that sort of thing was common in those days".

The New York Times

I don't remember this sort of thing in Graham Greene.

The New York Times - Books

But you expect that sort of thing in Brussels.

The Economist

We don't run that sort of thing in general.

Forbes

These sorts of things are common in the military and create a great deal of stress for both parties as they age and mature.

WikiHow

But this sort of thing is fairly common in industries like transit, where public-private partnerships are the rule.

TechCrunch

"This sort of thing is common," he said.

The New Yorker

The truth is, this sort of thing is common among today's App Store developers.

TechCrunch

This sort of thing is quite common, you know, for plastic surgeons, even in the United States".

The New Yorker

"This sort of thing is incredibly common, and it can be incredibly painful," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a sort of things in common" as it is grammatically incorrect. Instead, use "something in common" or more specific alternatives like "shared interests" depending on the context.

Common error

The phrase "a sort of things" incorrectly uses the plural "things." To correct this, use the singular form: "a sort of thing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sort of things in common" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests it should be "a sort of thing in common" or more simply "something in common". The intended function is to express shared characteristics or similarities.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a sort of things in common" is identified by Ludwig AI as grammatically incorrect. The correct form is either "a sort of thing in common" or, more simply, "something in common". While the intent is to express shared traits or interests, the incorrect grammar undermines its effectiveness. Therefore, it's advisable to use grammatically sound alternatives like "something in common" or more specific phrases like "shared interests" depending on the context. The corrected phrases are suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something in common

This alternative is more grammatically sound and commonly used to describe shared attributes.

things they have in common

This is a straightforward way of expressing shared qualities or interests between multiple subjects.

a kind of common ground

This alternative refers to shared interests or opinions that facilitate agreement.

shared characteristics

This alternative directly addresses the concept of common traits.

mutual interests

This refers specifically to interests that are shared.

points of similarity

This phrase emphasizes specific areas where things are alike.

common attributes

This alternative is a more formal way to describe shared qualities.

shared features

This highlights similar aspects or components.

areas of convergence

This suggests points where different things come together or align.

common denominators

This alternative highlights the shared elements that form a basis for something.

FAQs

What is a grammatically correct alternative to "a sort of things in common"?

A grammatically correct alternative is "something in common", which accurately conveys the idea of shared traits or interests.

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

You can use "something in common" in a sentence like this: "Despite their differences, they found something in common that allowed them to work together effectively."

What's the difference between "a sort of things in common" and "shared interests"?

"A sort of things in common" is not grammatically correct. "Shared interests" is a correct and specific way to describe common interests or hobbies.

Is it ever correct to use "a sort of things"?

No, "a sort of things" is generally not correct in standard English. It should be "a sort of thing". For example, "That was a strange sort of thing to say."