common pleasure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "common pleasure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a shared enjoyment or satisfaction experienced by a group of people. Example: "The festival was a celebration of common pleasure, bringing together people from all walks of life to enjoy music, food, and art."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Howells helped invent a kind of American prose that was not so much plain writing as easy writing — not easy to write (nothing is) but easy to read, and giving an instant note of common sense based on common pleasure.

The New Yorker

In addition to this common pleasure, felt and shared in by all (for the pleasure given by music is natural, and therefore adapted to all ages and characters), may it not have also some influence over the character and the soul?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I think his affinity with young people came from a related impulse: his own youth was incommunicable in its terrors; he hoped theirs might be different; and he would meet them, if he could, on the ground of a common pleasure in stories--in a newly created world.

The New Yorker

But music is more than just a common pleasure.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But life's more common pleasures may have more in common with spending a morning in the hotel hot tub.

The New York Times - Health

The purpose is not to nurture nightmares of suckling pig, or to lull ourselves into a fantasy of trimly bearded oysters, but simply to baste our rested brains with common sense, and with the prospect of common pleasures to come.

The New Yorker

The problem when so much dopamine is being released at once is that all the other common pleasure-generating activities of life start to feel dull and non-motivating.

Forbes

This formulation is in accord with one-half of the common sense "pleasure-pain" principle, but it ignores the other half, namely, the long-lasting dysphoric consequences of re­ peated opioid use (distressing abstinence phenomena, sexual distur­ bances, disruption of marital status, unemployment, enmeshment in criminal activities, arrests, and imprisonment).

Springer

"In combining fashion, food, and fetish, Wise's work combines society's most common guilty pleasures, be they commercial, edible, or sexual," our sister site, i-D, explains.

Vice

"It has nothing in common with the pleasure of watching an amazing ballet dancer.

The New York Times - Magazine

You have a huge grouping of consumer data, so you can micro-target messages to common groups, finding pleasure points and anger points on issues".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "common pleasure" to describe shared experiences that create a sense of unity and positive connection within a group or community. Consider the emotional impact and the specific context to ensure the phrase resonates effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "common pleasure" excessively in highly formal or technical writing. While grammatically sound, it may sound somewhat sentimental in contexts that require a more detached or objective tone. Consider alternatives like "shared benefit" or "collective interest" for professional settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "common pleasure" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a shared feeling of enjoyment or satisfaction among a group of people. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

37%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "common pleasure" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe shared enjoyment or satisfaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's applicable in various contexts, primarily appearing in news, media and academic domains. While not exceedingly frequent, it effectively conveys the idea of collective enjoyment, and related terms such as "shared joy" or "mutual delight" can be used as alternatives to prevent overuse or to better suit the tone of the writing. It's important to consider the audience and context when employing this phrase, ensuring that it resonates appropriately and avoids any unintended sentimentality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared joy

Replaces "pleasure" with "joy", emphasizing a feeling of happiness and delight that is collectively experienced.

mutual delight

Substitutes "pleasure" with "delight", suggesting a higher degree of enjoyment that is reciprocated.

collective enjoyment

Emphasizes the group aspect of experiencing pleasure together.

shared amusement

Focuses on pleasure derived from something funny or entertaining, experienced together.

communal gratification

Highlights a more profound sense of satisfaction that is shared within a community.

reciprocal satisfaction

Highlights pleasure as a mutual exchange or experience.

general contentment

Shifts the focus to a state of overall satisfaction that is widely experienced.

universal appeal

Suggests something that is pleasing or attractive to everyone.

popular enjoyment

Emphasizes the widespread enjoyment of something.

joint satisfaction

Highlights satisfaction that is shared or held in common.

FAQs

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

"Common pleasure" typically refers to a shared enjoyment or satisfaction. For example, "The community garden provided a "common pleasure" for residents, fostering a sense of unity".

What are some alternatives to "common pleasure"?

You can use alternatives like "shared joy", "mutual delight", or "collective enjoyment" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a common pleasure" or simply "common pleasure"?

Both are grammatically correct. "A common pleasure" emphasizes a specific instance of shared enjoyment, while "common pleasure" refers to the general concept.

What is the difference between "common pleasure" and "mutual satisfaction"?

"Common pleasure" generally implies a shared positive experience that is enjoyable. "Mutual satisfaction", on the other hand, suggests that both parties involved have their needs or expectations met, which may not necessarily involve pleasure. For example, reaching a business agreement might bring "mutual satisfaction", but not necessarily "common pleasure".