according to common usage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "according to common usage" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to how a word or phrase is typically understood or used by the general public. Example: "According to common usage, the term 'literally' can also mean 'figuratively' in modern contexts."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

According to common usage, 1 and 3 are regarded as cases of bad science, and only 2 as a case of pseudoscience.

SEP

He repudiates the use of technical jargon, accessible only to a narrow group of professionals, and maintains that if scholastic logicians made an effort to speak plainly and according to common usage, many of their conundrums would disappear.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And that "enjoy", according to common English usage, is now very much an intransitive verb when used in the imperative.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In his own way, Tarantino has restored "nigger" to common usage in the movies.

The New Yorker

A common goal in defining any psychological concept is a statement that corresponds to common usage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Contrary to common usage, they aren't always in alignment.

Huffington Post

The FFQ food items were assigned to one of 80 food classes using the EPIC-Soft software (Voss et al, 1998), and grouped into 25 subordinated food groups based on nutrient profiles or culinary usage according to the common classification of the EPIC project (Slimani et al, 2002; Supplementary Figure 1 and Table 1).

British Journal of Cancer

Usage significance is measured according to Component Rank, a well-established metric in the literature, which ranks software artifacts according to their usage significance.

Journal of Systems and Software

The sequence was designed according to codon usage of Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus casei, and Salmonella typhimurium.

Protein Expression and Purification

Consumers choose a favorable one from the menu according to their usage behaviors.

Reliability Engineering & System Safety

Cato's demand was simple: punish the conspirators "according to the usage of our ancestors".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "according to common usage" to clarify that a statement reflects a widely accepted understanding, especially when that understanding might differ from a technical or specialized definition.

Common error

Avoid using "according to common usage" redundantly. If the context already implies general understanding, the phrase can sound unnecessary or stilted. Opt for more concise wording when possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "according to common usage" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a statement, indicating that it aligns with general or widespread understanding. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which finds its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "according to common usage" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that a statement reflects a generally accepted understanding. As Ludwig AI confirms, while grammatically sound and applicable across different domains, its usage is relatively uncommon. When clarity is paramount, and you need to distinguish between technical and general understandings, incorporating it into writing can be useful. Be mindful of the context to prevent redundancy. Alternatives include "as generally understood", "in general parlance", and "in everyday language".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as the term is generally used

Specifically refers to the usage of a term rather than broader concepts.

as commonly understood

Focuses solely on understanding, omitting the element of active usage.

as generally understood

Emphasizes the comprehension aspect over the act of using the phrase.

in general parlance

Focuses more on the way people speak rather than broader understanding.

in everyday language

Emphasizes simplicity and accessibility of the language used.

in common parlance

Suggests a more colloquial or informal context than "according to common usage".

by popular definition

Highlights that the definition is driven by widespread acceptance.

in public understanding

Emphasizes the understanding of the public rather than the language they use.

based on accepted definitions

Implies a degree of formality and standardization not always present in common usage.

in the vernacular

Implies a more regional or informal style of speech.

FAQs

How can I use "according to common usage" in a sentence?

You can use "according to common usage" to introduce a definition or understanding that is widely accepted, as in, "According to common usage, the term 'literally' is often used figuratively."

What does "according to common usage" mean?

The phrase "according to common usage" means that a statement or definition reflects how a word or concept is generally understood and used by most people.

What can I say instead of "according to common usage"?

You can use alternatives like "as generally understood", "in general parlance", or "in everyday language" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify "according to common usage"?

No, it's not always necessary. Only use "according to common usage" when you want to emphasize that you're referring to a general understanding rather than a technical or precise definition. In many cases the context will make it clear.