common good

USAGE SUMMARY

"common good" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the benefit or advantage of a group of people, rather than an individual. For example: "The mayor's decision was made in the common good of all citizens."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Common ground cannot be found by destroying the common good".

The New York Times

"Common good" is very often a safer translation of bonum commune than "the common good".

SEP

Land represents a common good.

The Guardian

"Secularism is our common good," Bouvet said.

The New Yorker

Slogan: "Standing for the common good".

The Guardian

"First: a conception of the common good.

Independent

That's your contribution to the common good".

The New York Times

That's working for the common good.

The Guardian

"The Common Good" represents a meeting of choreographic minds.

The New York Times

Like Brown, Osborne puts political advantage above the common good.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They should recognize what is a common good for society".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing policy or ethics, use "common good" to emphasize decisions that benefit the majority, not just a select few.

Common error

Avoid using "common good" to justify actions that primarily serve individual interests. Ensure the benefits extend broadly across a group or community.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "common good" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig examples show it referring to the overall benefit of a community or society. It is frequently used in discussions of ethics, politics, and policy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "common good" is a frequently used noun phrase that refers to the benefit or advantage of a group or community as a whole, as confirmed by Ludwig. It often appears in discussions related to politics, ethics, and policy, especially in News & Media and Science contexts. While generally grammatically correct, it's important to use "common good" to describe actions that truly benefit the majority, not just a select few. Semantically related phrases include "public interest" and "general welfare". Ludwig's examples highlight its use in advocating for policies that benefit society.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

public interest

Focuses specifically on the welfare of the general public, often in the context of government or policy.

collective welfare

Emphasizes the well-being of a group as a whole, rather than individual benefits.

general welfare

Highlights the overall health, happiness, and prosperity of a community.

community benefit

Stresses the advantages gained by a local area or group.

societal benefit

Indicates advantages that extend to society at large.

public benefit

Similar to "public interest" but can also apply to charitable or non-profit activities.

greater good

Suggests a moral or ethical dimension, often involving sacrifice for the benefit of others.

shared prosperity

Focuses on economic well-being that is distributed among a population.

national interest

Relates specifically to the goals and advantages of a nation.

social well-being

Highlights the overall health and happiness of a society.

FAQs

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

You can use "common good" to describe actions or policies that benefit the majority of a community, such as "The new park was built for the "public benefit" and the "collective welfare"".

What's the difference between "common good" and "greater good"?

"Common good" typically refers to tangible benefits for a community, while "greater good" often implies a moral or ethical dimension, sometimes involving sacrifice. The "greater good" can occasionally conflict with the immediate "community benefit".

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "common good"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "public interest", "general welfare", or "societal benefit". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of collective well-being.

Is it correct to prioritize the "common good" over individual rights?

The balance between ""collective welfare"" and individual rights is a complex ethical and political question. Policies should strive to find a balance that respects both, as prioritizing one over the other can lead to unintended consequences.