as was common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as was common" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was typical or usual in a particular context or situation. Example: "The meeting was held in the main conference room, as was common for such important discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Beatles' initial record deal would most likely have given them a couple of per cent in royalties, at the most, as was common in those days.

The Guardian - Music

While thousands of condos were built here, most were bought by homeowners, not speculators, as was common in Miami and other oversaturated markets.

The New York Times

Her doctors diagnosed advanced cervical cancer in August 1951, but as was common at the time, the patient was told only that she had a uterine problem.

The New York Times - Health

In 1986, as was common among aspiring chefs, she did an apprenticeship in France, at a three-star Michelin restaurant near Lyon.

Forbes

During the Lancashire Cotton Famine of 1861 1865 he refused to cut workers' wages as was common during the period.

Wikipedia

As was common, the boy boarded at Mozart's house, for two years.

The New York Times - Arts

As was common, a white group, the Crew-Cuts, recorded a version of the song.

The New York Times - Arts

As was common at the time, Ms. Butler took the baby north to be raised by a sister.

The New York Times

As was common in the resistance's improvised democracy, Comet was an organisation where hierarchies of status, gender and age were meaningless.

The Guardian

However, wrongly assuming that they would probably arrest him and release him shortly afterwards – as was common practice at the time – he went to work as usual.

The Guardian

This can now be accomplished in 6 months rather than 12 to 18 months, as was common a few years ago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as was common" to provide context and explain past practices or norms to help the reader understand why something happened in a particular way.

Common error

Ensure the context is clear. Avoid using "as was common" without specifying the time period, location, or group for which it was common; otherwise, it may be unclear to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as was common" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by providing information about the typicality or prevalence of a certain condition, practice, or event in a specific context. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

32%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

14%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as was common" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that serves to provide context by indicating the typicality of a situation in a given time or place. As Ludwig AI explains, it is deemed grammatically correct and suitable for use across various contexts. This phrase is seen across multiple reliable sources, especially within News & Media and Wiki contexts. When using "as was common", ensure clarity by specifying the relevant context to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as was typical

Replaces "common" with "typical", emphasizing the usual nature of something.

as was usual

Substitutes "common" with "usual", highlighting the habitual occurrence of something.

as was the norm

Uses "the norm" instead of "common", suggesting that something followed a standard.

as was customary

Replaces "common" with "customary", indicating that something was a practice or tradition.

as was standard practice

Emphasizes that something was a regular procedure or method.

as generally happened

Focuses on the general occurrence of an event or situation.

as often occurred

Highlights the frequent occurrence of something.

in those days

Indicates something was usual within the particular time

in that era

Highlights what was expected during a period.

it was the trend

Highlights something fashionable during a period.

FAQs

How to use "as was common" in a sentence?

Use "as was common" to indicate that a particular practice, belief, or situation was typical or prevalent during a specific time or within a specific group. For example: "Doctors often prescribed rest, "as was common" for many ailments at the time."

What can I say instead of "as was common"?

You can use alternatives like "as was typical", "as was usual", or "as was the norm depending on the context".

Is it okay to start a sentence with "as was common"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "as was common", particularly when you want to emphasize the commonality of something before explaining it further.

What's the difference between "as was common" and "as is common"?

"As was common" refers to something that was typical in the past, while "as is common" refers to something that is typical now. The tense is the key difference.