common retort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "common retort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a frequently used response or reply in a conversation or argument. Example: "When faced with criticism, her common retort was to point out the flaws in her critic's argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

A common retort to all of this is: "This is the internet.

The Guardian - Opinion

("You're obviously not a parent!" was the most common retort pinged at anyone who dared object to the book's message).

The New York Times

"All lives matter" is a common retort used in defence of individuals and institutions criticised by the BLM movement, often the police.

The Guardian

But there's a common retort to that view: maybe the Greens would have more seats in parliament if more voters had the opportunity to hear what the party's leader had to say?

The Guardian

The common retort would be that the Spurs and the Nets still have to play these games, that the Nets are a wonderfully resilient team, able to come back in series and games for the past six weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

"Whenever research reveals disparities between men's and women's pay, there is a common retort: The gap must be due to unobserved differences in men's and women's willingness or skill in negotiating pay," said Maura Belliveau, the study's author, an associate professor at LIU Post's College of Management.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"It's not going to ship until the end of the year". None of these common retorts, Chabot says, prevent a startup from selling its idea today.

Forbes

The common retorts that God's ways are "mysterious" or that God has an overarching plan that we cannot know are unsatisfying both emotionally and logically.

Huffington Post

Or, consider the common retorts to students' identifying with Black Lives Matter -- why, some keep asking, do only Black Lives Matter?

Huffington Post

An equally colorful but less common American retort to the inclusive first-person plural pronoun is "We?

The New York Times - Magazine

A common, defensive retort amongst many upset by media, partisan or ideological criticism of the President is that "it's only been a year".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "common retort" when you want to emphasize that a particular response is frequently heard or predictable in a given context.

Common error

While "common retort" is a perfectly acceptable phrase, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "typical response" or "usual reply" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "common retort" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific type of response that is frequently encountered, as Ludwig examples illustrate.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "common retort" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that signifies a frequently heard or predictable response, particularly in argumentative contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is acceptable and well-established. The phrase finds prominence in News & Media, Academia and Wiki articles. While not overly formal, it is more suited to analytical discussions than casual conversations. When aiming for a more informal tone, consider using synonyms like "typical response" or "frequent reply". In summary, "common retort" is a valuable addition to your vocabulary when describing patterned responses in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typical response

Focuses on the typicality of the response rather than its argumentative nature.

frequent reply

Highlights the frequency of the reply, a direct synonym.

standard answer

Emphasizes the standardized nature of the response.

usual comeback

Suggests a retaliatory aspect to the response, similar to a retort.

predictable reaction

Highlights the predictability of the response.

stock answer

Implies the response is pre-prepared or formulaic.

canned response

Similar to 'stock answer', suggesting a lack of originality.

rote reply

Suggests a memorized or unthinking response.

knee-jerk reaction

Emphasizes the automatic and unthinking nature of the response.

go-to response

Indicates the response is the first choice or most readily available.

FAQs

What does "common retort" mean?

A "common retort" refers to a frequently used response or reply, especially one that is quick, sharp, or witty, in a conversation or argument.

How to use "common retort" in a sentence?

You can use "common retort" like this: "When faced with criticism, her "common retort" was to point out the flaws in her critic's argument".

What can I say instead of "common retort"?

You can use alternatives like "typical response", "frequent reply", or "standard answer" depending on the context.

Is "common retort" formal or informal?

The phrase "common retort" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While it's acceptable in most contexts, simpler alternatives might be preferable in very informal settings.