as commonplace as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as commonplace as" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to compare the frequency or commonality of one thing to another, emphasizing that both are very ordinary or widely encountered. Example: "In today's digital age, online shopping has become as commonplace as going to the grocery store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Food

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"This was once just as commonplace as anything American".

The New Yorker

— are as commonplace as best-burger recommendations in New York.

The New Yorker

A houseplant might seem as commonplace as furniture.

The New York Times

Hackneyed stereotypes are as commonplace as they are offensive.

The Guardian - Film

His faith in India was once as commonplace as his despair over the superpowers.

The Economist

Most fathers care deeply about their sons, which should be as commonplace as breathing.

The New York Times - Sports

For politicians, raising money is as commonplace as shaking hands and delivering speeches.

The New York Times

It has long been prized in Japan, where it is as commonplace as egg and chips.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Health clubs are as commonplace as convenience stores around these parts.

The New York Times

Salon and spa openings might be as commonplace as new clothing collections, but every so often, they transcend the ordinary.

The New York Times

In cupboards worldwide, the association of "Trappist" and "preserves" has become as commonplace as "Benedictine" and "brandy".

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as commonplace as" to draw a comparison that highlights the ordinariness of something, making it relatable to the audience. For example, "In the modern office, using email is as commonplace as drinking coffee."

Common error

While "as commonplace as" is a useful phrase, avoid pairing it with overly familiar comparisons (e.g., "as commonplace as dirt"). Instead, strive for fresh, contextually relevant comparisons to maintain the reader's interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as commonplace as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to describe something by comparing its frequency or common occurrence to something else that is widely recognized and understood, as suggested by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Lifestyle

13%

Food

10%

Less common in

Sports

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as commonplace as" is a comparative adjective phrase used to emphasize the ordinariness or frequency of something by drawing a comparison to a widely recognized concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in both neutral and informal contexts. The phrase is very common, particularly in news and media, lifestyle, and food-related content. While effective for making something relatable, it's important to avoid overused comparisons and to consider more precise alternatives for highly formal writing. The phrase functions to downplay the significance of a subject by highlighting its common nature, making it a valuable tool for writers aiming for accessibility and relatability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as ordinary as

Emphasizes the lack of uniqueness or specialness, focusing on the mundane nature.

as typical as

Highlights conformity to a standard or norm, suggesting expected behavior or occurrences.

as frequent as

Focuses on the high rate of occurrence or incidence of something.

as usual as

Implies that something is happening in accordance with routine or custom.

as expected as

Conveys that something is happening in line with anticipation or prediction.

as routine as

Highlights the habitual and unvarying nature of an event or action.

nothing out of the ordinary

Indicates the absence of anything unusual or remarkable.

a dime a dozen

Conveys that something is easily available and of little value due to its commonness.

a common occurrence

Highlights the frequency with which an event or situation happens.

part and parcel

Suggests that something is an integral and unavoidable aspect of something else.

FAQs

How can I use "as commonplace as" in a sentence?

Use "as commonplace as" to illustrate that something is very common or ordinary by comparing it to something else widely recognized. For example, "Online shopping has become "as common as" going to a physical store."

What are some alternatives to "as commonplace as"?

Some alternatives include "as ordinary as", "as typical as", "as usual as", or phrases like "a common occurrence" depending on the specific context.

Is "as commonplace as" a formal or informal expression?

"As commonplace as" is suitable for both neutral and informal contexts. It is generally acceptable in formal writing, but in more formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "as frequent as" or rephrasing for greater precision.

What's the difference between "as commonplace as" and "as common as"?

While both phrases indicate something is widespread, "as commonplace as" often implies something is so ordinary that it's unremarkable. "As common as" simply suggests that something occurs frequently without necessarily implying it's mundane.