be common to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be common to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which two or more things have something in common. For example, "The love of adventure is a trait that is common to both siblings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These are handy little features that will now be common to iOS as well as OSX.

Independent

It is starting to be common to see characters in television soap operas shown reading.

The Economist

The sexual behaviour of pot-bellied seahorses is thought likely to be common to other species.

Independent

Only then will it be common to spot these terminals next to toasters, waffle irons and microwaves: appliances at last.

The New York Times - Tech

In the 1970s, it would be common to hear people say they 'fucking hate these English bastards'.

The Guardian - Sport

These issues may be common to many Indian women, but Ms. Esteves said they were amplified for lesbians.

The New York Times

Pakistan is, in general, linguistically heterogeneous, and no single language can be said to be common to the whole population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The error inversions cannot be common to different subjects.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Of course, some learning styles can be common to students around the world.

International Journal of STEM Education

The initial mutations - the trunk - will be common to all cancer cells.

BBC

The OA mechanisms that we find for anatase may be common to other aqueous metal-oxide systems.

Chemical Engineering Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be common to", ensure that the items you are comparing are clearly defined. For instance, specify "the problems that are common to small businesses" rather than just "common problems".

Common error

Avoid using "is common to" when referring to multiple subjects. It should be "are common to" to maintain subject-verb agreement. For instance, it's incorrect to say 'Mistakes is common to new learners'. Instead, say 'Mistakes are common to new learners'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be common to" serves as a linking phrase, connecting different subjects by highlighting their shared attributes or characteristics. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be common to" is a versatile linguistic tool used to highlight shared characteristics among different entities. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related contexts, "be common to" effectively bridges connections between subjects by emphasizing their shared attributes. When employing this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement and clearly define the items being compared for optimal clarity. You can consider alternatives such as "be shared by" or "be typical of" to refine the specific meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be shared by

Emphasizes the aspect of sharing a characteristic or feature.

be typical of

Highlights the representative nature of a characteristic.

be characteristic of

Focuses on a feature that defines a group or thing.

be prevalent in

Indicates widespread occurrence within a specific context.

be found in

Highlights the presence of something within a specific group.

be inherent in

Suggests that a feature is intrinsic and inseparable.

be usual for

Indicates that something is the normal expectation.

be standard among

Focuses on something being a norm within a set.

be uniformly present in

Highlights that a feature is consistently found across a group.

be generally observed in

Indicates widespread observation of something.

FAQs

How can I use "be common to" in a sentence?

Use "be common to" to indicate shared characteristics or features among multiple subjects. For example, "Certain challenges "are common to" startups in the tech industry".

What are some alternatives to "be common to"?

Alternatives include "be shared by", "be typical of", or "be prevalent in", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "be common to"?

Yes, "be common to" is grammatically correct when used to describe shared attributes. Ensure subject-verb agreement (e.g., "challenges are common" not "challenge is common").

What's the difference between "be common to" and "be unique to"?

"Be common to" indicates shared characteristics, while "be unique to" signifies distinctive features exclusive to a particular entity or group.