as commonplace as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as commonplace as a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare something to a widely recognized or frequently encountered item or concept, emphasizing its ordinariness. Example: "In today's digital age, misinformation is as commonplace as a viral meme."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"Oh, no, not that," she said, as though a Pantheon were as commonplace as a lawnmower shed.

The New Yorker

The relentlessly upbeat winery newsletter is now as commonplace as a Gideon Bible in a Holiday Inn.

The New York Times - Food

His earliest poems can deal with something as commonplace as a bulb of garlic, a potato, or an overcoat fallen on the floor.

Princeton University

Instead, it barely drew notice: in a country where protests have become as commonplace as a traffic jam, no one seemed to have anything to say about it.

The New Yorker

In time, perhaps a trip from Berlin to Tashkent, or from Paris to Tehran, will seem as commonplace as a journey from New York to San Francisco.

The Economist

By contrast, even the guy out of Funkadelic who wore a big nappy onstage looked as commonplace as a bank clerk.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

As ridiculous as these conspiracies may sound, it might be even more difficult to believe that the Super Bowl, the most thoroughly planned entertainment event of the year, could have been undone by something as commonplace as an accidental power failure.

The Guardian - Sport

Not always warranted, of course, but we all know how funny and catastrophic anecdotes outlive the less thrilling reality of something as commonplace as an OS install.

TechCrunch

It was a massacre, and one that could become as commonplace as any crime.

HuffPost

Bartering with strangers for leftover prescription drugs in Venezuela has become as commonplace as asking a neighbour for a similarly scarce cup of flour, as the country's economic crisis morphs into a public health emergency.

The Guardian

Asked when watching a video clip on a cell phone would become as commonplace as making a call, Mr. Arlen said that would depend on the cost of equipment and service, as well as on the quality and choice of the video available.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "as commonplace as a", ensure that the item or concept you are comparing to is genuinely widely known and understood by your audience. This strengthens the comparison and avoids confusion.

Common error

Avoid using clichés or overly predictable comparisons with "as commonplace as a". Instead, opt for more original and thought-provoking comparisons to make your writing stand out.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as commonplace as a" functions primarily as a simile, used to draw a comparison between something and a familiar, everyday item or concept. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and serves to emphasize the ordinariness of the subject being described.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as commonplace as a" is a simile used to emphasize the ordinariness or lack of uniqueness of something by comparing it to a familiar, everyday item or concept. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usability. It's frequently found in News & Media and Academic contexts, and its effective use depends on choosing a comparison that is genuinely well-known to the audience. While versatile, avoid overusing it with clichés to maintain writing originality. Alternatives include "as ordinary as a" and "as familiar as a". Overall, this phrase offers a useful tool for highlighting the mundane or typical nature of a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as ordinary as a

Replaces "commonplace" with "ordinary", emphasizing the lack of special or unique qualities.

as typical as a

Substitutes "commonplace" with "typical", highlighting the conformity to a standard or norm.

as routine as a

Replaces "commonplace" with "routine", focusing on the habitual and predictable nature.

as frequent as a

Emphasizes the high occurrence rate, differing from the sense of ordinariness.

as familiar as a

Shifts the focus to the level of recognition and acquaintance, rather than commonness.

as conventional as a

Highlights adherence to accepted standards or norms, adding a layer of social expectation.

no more unusual than a

Expresses the same idea but using a negative comparison, emphasizing the lack of surprise.

as run-of-the-mill as a

Uses a more informal term, "run-of-the-mill", to convey the idea of being unexceptional.

as expected as a

Focuses on the predictability of the thing, highlighting it does not come as a surprise.

as standard as a

Highlights that the subject is commonly accepted or used.

FAQs

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

Use "as commonplace as a" to compare something to a well-known, everyday item or concept, emphasizing its ordinariness. For example, "Online shopping has become "as commonplace as a" trip to the grocery store".

What are some alternatives to "as commonplace as a"?

You can use phrases like "as ordinary as a", "as typical as a", or "as familiar as a" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "as commonplace as a" formal or informal?

"As commonplace as a" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the subject you are comparing it to.

What's the difference between "as commonplace as a" and "ubiquitous"?

While both suggest widespread presence, "as commonplace as a" implies ordinariness and familiarity, while "ubiquitous" simply means present everywhere. Something can be ubiquitous without being considered commonplace.