common as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "common as" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to compare the frequency or prevalence of something to another well-known or frequently occurring thing. Example: "In today's world, smartphones are as common as wristwatches were in the past."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pesticides and herbicides became common as well.

The New York Times

Garages are common, as are small backyards.

The New York Times

They had other things in common as well.

The New York Times

They have some personality traits in common as well.

The New York Times

But shootings of other people are common, as well.

The Washington Post

Sleeping cabins are common, as are restaurants and onboard discos.

The New York Times

Marriage across sectarian lines is common, as are conversions.

The Economist

Food shortages are common, as are shortages of medicine.

Forbes

Famine and plagues were common, as was political unrest.

BBC

Cecropia was the only genus in common as well.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

Dustbathing is common as well.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "common as", ensure the comparison is to something genuinely well-known to your target audience for the analogy to be effective. For example, saying "common as smartphones" works today, but might not have made sense 20 years ago.

Common error

Don't compare something to something obscure or niche. The effectiveness of ""common as"" relies on the audience immediately understanding the comparison point. If they don't, the phrase loses its impact and can confuse readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "common as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It establishes a comparison of frequency or prevalence between two subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in comparing the ubiquity of one thing relative to another.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "common as" serves as a comparative adjective phrase used to highlight the frequency or prevalence of something by drawing a parallel to a familiar concept. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is commonly found in news and media, with neutral formality. When using ""common as"", make sure that the item you're comparing to is something widely known to your audience. While it is grammatically sound, related phrases like "widespread as" or "frequent as" can add subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as widespread as

Replaces "common" with "widespread", emphasizing broad distribution rather than mere frequency.

as frequent as

Substitutes "common" with "frequent", highlighting the regularity of occurrence.

as prevalent as

Employs "prevalent" instead of "common", suggesting widespread existence or acceptance.

ubiquitous as

Replaces “common” with “ubiquitous”, focusing on something being present everywhere.

widely encountered

Emphasizes the frequency of encountering something.

ordinarily found

Highlights the typical nature and frequency of finding something.

typically seen

Focuses on the routine observation of something.

no stranger to

Indicates something is well-known or often experienced, but uses a different structural approach.

a dime a dozen

Uses an idiom to express that something is very common and easily available.

nothing new

Indicates that something is not surprising because it happens so often.

FAQs

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

The phrase "common as" is used to draw a comparison between how frequent or prevalent something is, and something else widely known. For example, "In this neighborhood, stray cats are as "common as" squirrels in a park."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "common as"?

You can use alternatives such as "widespread as", "frequent as", or "prevalent as", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "common as dirt"?

Yes, the phrase "common as dirt" is a grammatically correct and commonly used idiom to describe something that is very ordinary or easily found. Note that ""common as dirt"" has a slightly different connotation that simply “common” because it can imply that the thing is cheap and/or undesirable.

What is the difference between "common as" and "more common than"?

"Common as" implies a similarity in frequency or prevalence to something else, while "more common than" directly states that one thing occurs more often than another. For example, "Smartphones are as "common as" landlines used to be" versus "Smartphones are more common than landlines."