are unusually common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are unusually common" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs more frequently than expected or is more prevalent than usual. Example: "These types of errors are unusually common in the early stages of development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Teenage pregnancy and welfare dependency are unusually common, too.

The Economist

Folklore has it that southpaws are unusually common in art and architecture schools.

The New York Times

For years, geneticists have suggested that genes that are unusually common in certain populations might have arisen because they protected people against certain diseases.

The New York Times - Science

Geneticists use national genealogy databases to look for diseases that are unusually common in relatives — a sign that they share a mutation.

The New York Times - Science

Ms. Gray's stories of displacement and abuse while in state custody are unusually common in Oklahoma, according to a new lawsuit and many lawyers, foster parents, former foster children, volunteer mentors and even state employees.

The New York Times

Curious about whether stereoblindness and dyslexia are unusually common among artists, Dr. Livingstone and her colleagues, including a neuroophthamologist, examined the eyes of 53 famous artists selected from photographs at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Depression is unusually common in people who engage in substance abuse.

Harvard University

This desire to show Los Angeles "as it really is" turned out to be unusually common this year.

The New York Times - Magazine

Dwarfism, which was unusually common in the Amish population, was the first one that he studied in detail.

The New York Times

In type 2, on the other hand, Bacteroides were relatively rare, while the genus Prevotella was unusually common.

The New York Times - Science

Two Algonquin wolves that were part of the new study, she said, lived during a period when hybridization between coyotes and wolves was unusually common.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are unusually common", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is considered 'usual' for comparison. This provides a stronger basis for your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "are unusually common" when the phenomenon is only slightly more frequent than normal. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility. Instead, consider quantifying the difference if data is available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are unusually common" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (often plural) to indicate that the things described by the noun occur more frequently than is typical or expected. Ludwig AI confirms its valid use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

40%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are unusually common" is a grammatically correct and frequently used way to describe something that happens more often than expected. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It is versatile, appearing in diverse contexts from news and media to scientific research and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context makes clear what "usual" frequency is to strengthen the impact. Although versatile, consider alternatives like "are particularly frequent" or "are markedly prevalent" to enrich your writing style. Remember to avoid overstating the significance if the occurrence is just slightly above normal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are particularly frequent

Replaces "unusually common" with "particularly frequent", emphasizing high occurrence.

are markedly prevalent

Emphasizes the widespread existence of something using "markedly prevalent" instead of "unusually common".

are especially widespread

Focuses on the broad distribution using "especially widespread" as an alternative to "unusually common".

occur with notable regularity

Substitutes "are unusually common" with a more formal expression, highlighting the consistent occurrence.

are strikingly frequent

Replaces "unusually common" with a phrase that adds a sense of surprise due to the high frequency.

are seen with increased incidence

Uses a more technical and formal tone to indicate a higher rate of occurrence than expected.

are distinctively recurrent

Highlights the repetitive nature of the occurrence, replacing "unusually common" with a focus on recurrence.

present a higher than expected frequency

Rephrases to specify that the observed frequency exceeds the anticipated level.

are abnormally pervasive

Indicates a spread that is beyond the normal or expected range, suggesting a potential concern.

are surprisingly often encountered

Focuses on the unexpected frequency with which something is found or experienced.

FAQs

How can I use "are unusually common" in a sentence?

Use "are unusually common" to describe something that happens more often than expected. For example, "These errors "are unusually common" during the initial phase of the project".

What are some alternatives to "are unusually common"?

You can use alternatives like "are particularly frequent", "are markedly prevalent", or "occur with notable regularity depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is unusually common" or "are unusually common"?

Use "is unusually common" for singular subjects and "are unusually common" for plural subjects. For example, "This error is unusually common" versus "These errors "are unusually common"".

What does it mean when something is described as "unusually common"?

It means that the particular thing is happening or being observed more frequently than what is typically expected or considered normal. This could be in reference to events, occurrences, traits, or other phenomena.