common people

USAGE SUMMARY

"common people" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used in reference to the majority of people in society, as opposed to important or influential people. For example, "Despite the wishes of the elite, the common people still had a strong say in the election outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was made by common people for common people.

The New Yorker

referring to the common people.

The New Yorker

Jarvis Cocker did "common people".

The Guardian - Arts

Which is where Common People comes in.

The Guardian - Opinion

At Common People festival, Oxford, 28 May.

The Guardian - Music

"Common people were forbidden to wear silk".

The New York Times - Arts

Is pop doomed without Common People?

The Guardian

"Their target was never the common people".

The New York Times

We're fine with the common people!

The Guardian - Music

In contrast, ETR appears to politicise common people.

Energy Policy

Grow up and join the common people, the republicans.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "common people" to emphasize the contrast between ordinary individuals and those in positions of power or privilege. For example, discuss policies that impact the "common people" rather than abstract economic indicators.

Common error

Be specific when possible. While "common people" is widely understood, consider whether a more precise term like "working class" or "local residents" would better suit your context and provide greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "common people" primarily functions as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is used to denote ordinary individuals within a community or society, often in contrast to a ruling class or elite.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "common people" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression referring to ordinary individuals in society, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to distinguish everyday citizens from elites or those in positions of power. As shown by the high frequency across various sources, the expression serves to convey that attention or concern is focused on the experiences of the general public. Predominantly found in news and media, "common people" maintains a neutral register suitable for broad audiences. While alternatives like "ordinary citizens" or "average people" exist, understanding the nuanced context helps in precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ordinary citizens

Refers to average members of a political state, emphasizing their civic status.

average people

Highlights the typical or usual status of individuals in a group.

general public

Focuses on the population at large, without specific distinctions.

rank and file

Emphasizes the non-leadership members of an organization or society.

grassroots

Highlights people involved in basic level political and economical movements.

the masses

Implies a large, undifferentiated group of people, sometimes with a political connotation.

the populace

A more formal term for the general population.

working class

Highlights the group of people employed for wages, especially in manual or industrial work.

the proletariat

Refers to the class of wage-earners in a capitalist society whose only possession of significant material value is their labour-power.

the plebeians

Historical term referring to the commoners in ancient Rome, now used more generally.

FAQs

What does "common people" mean?

The term "common people" refers to ordinary individuals in a society, often used to distinguish them from the elite or those in positions of power. It emphasizes their shared status as typical members of the population.

What can I say instead of "common people"?

You can use alternatives like "ordinary citizens", "average people", or "general public" depending on the context.

Is "common people" a politically charged term?

While generally neutral, the term "common people" can sometimes carry a political connotation, particularly when used to advocate for specific policies or interests. Consider the context to avoid unintended implications.

How does the meaning of "common people" differ from "grassroots"?

"Common people" refers broadly to ordinary members of society. "Grassroots" specifically describes people involved in a basic level of political or economical movements, emphasizing bottom-up organization and activism.