common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "common" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is widespread, usual, or frequently encountered. Example: "It is common for people to feel nervous before a job interview."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You are united by a common sense of decency".

The Guardian

They had much in common.

The New York Times

This – and nothing less than this – should be our common goal.

The Guardian

Behavioral economists have shown that a sizable percentage of people are willing to pay real money to punish people who are taking from a common pot but not contributing to it.

The Economist

The result is a consumer financial-protection agency that's prevented from overseeing one of the most common, and most important, financial products that consumers buy.

The Economist

Though each of them had a very distinct reaction to the challenges of making art that seemed honest and relevant to the present moment, it was also true that in talking to the four of them separately, common themes emerged.

The Guardian

That they had him in a room and insulted him for three hours is absolutely unacceptable," said Stamatis Vassilaros, a doctor echoing a common refrain.

The Guardian

A third driver was racism in the housing market: many new migrants in the 1950s to 1970s faced appalling discrimination with "No blacks, no Irish, no dogs" signs common in the windows of lodging houses.

The Guardian

A cornerstone of the good practice guidelines is that MBCT teachers have an established personal mindfulness practice and appreciate the common nature of human suffering, rather than teaching from a purely intellectual stance".

The Guardian

They had little else in common over the course of the match with a Hearts side who did them such severe harm as they picked up the trophy they also secured in 2006.

The Guardian - Sport

Philip Gould, Blair's closest political confidant, once described him as 'a bastion of common sense'.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "common" to describe shared traits, consider whether "shared" or "mutual" might be more precise to emphasize the reciprocal nature of the attribute.

Common error

In formal writing, avoid relying solely on "common" to describe frequency. Diversify your language with synonyms like "prevalent" or "widespread" to enhance the sophistication of your prose.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "common" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe their prevalence, shared nature, or ordinariness. Ludwig AI confirms its role in denoting widespread occurrence or shared attributes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "common" functions primarily as an adjective, denoting something widespread, shared, or ordinary. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific writing. While versatile, it's advisable to consider synonyms like "widespread" or "prevalent" in formal settings to avoid repetition. Usage examples and data confirm that it is a very common word. Always ensure that when you're aiming for a nuanced and clear meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widespread

Indicates something is prevalent or extensively distributed.

shared

Focuses on aspects that are jointly held or experienced.

prevalent

Emphasizes the widespread nature of something, often an issue or characteristic.

mutual

Emphasizes reciprocity or a shared relationship between two or more parties.

frequent

Highlights the repeated occurrence of something.

collective

Indicates something done or possessed by a group as a whole.

typical

Suggests conformity to a standard or norm.

joint

Implies a shared or cooperative effort or ownership.

ordinary

Indicates a lack of distinction or special quality.

communal

Refers to something belonging to or shared by the people of a community.

FAQs

How can I use "common" in a sentence?

You can use "common" to describe something that occurs frequently or is shared. For example, "It is common to see rain in the spring" or "They share a common goal".

What are some alternatives to the word "common"?

Alternatives to "common" include "widespread", "frequent", "typical", or "ordinary", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "common consensus"?

While "common consensus" is sometimes used, it can be considered redundant because "consensus" already implies a common agreement. Using just "consensus" is generally clearer and more concise.

What's the difference between "common" and "mutual"?

"Common" refers to something shared by multiple entities, while "mutual" implies a reciprocal relationship or action. For instance, a "common interest" is simply shared, but "mutual respect" involves reciprocal feelings.