common sense prevail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "common sense prevail" is not correct as it is missing an article.
The correct form is "may common sense prevail." You can use it in contexts where you hope for rational thinking or sound judgment to guide a decision or outcome. Example: "In this debate, I truly hope that may common sense prevail and we can reach a fair conclusion."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Why doesn't such common sense prevail?

The Economist

"You have to let common sense prevail," he said.

The New York Times

If his pragmatism and common sense prevail, Mr. Romney would do the same.

The Washington Post

In private life in the United States, he has let common sense prevail.

The New York Times

"What we have seen today is common sense prevail," the Greens leader, Richard Di Natale, told reporters earlier in the day.

The Guardian

We are prepared to meet them directly or through Acas any time, any place, anywhere to let common sense prevail and give our customers back their trains and give them the service they expect".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Common sense prevails here, folks.

Stanford University

When common sense prevails they can buy me a pint.

The Guardian - Opinion

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, my -- you know, look, my hope is, is that common sense prevails, you know?

The New York Times

"I hope that common sense prevails," Mr. Dolgov told a judge before he was ordered held for two months.

The New York Times

Eventually common sense prevailed and the government backed off, realizing that legal action would have made a bad situation worse.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatically correct usage, prefer the form "may common sense prevail" to express a wish or hope for rational thinking to dominate a situation.

Common error

The phrase "common sense prevail" is grammatically incorrect due to the absence of a modal verb. Always ensure you use a grammatically correct form like "may common sense prevail" or rephrase it for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "common sense prevail" is grammatically incorrect and primarily functions as an expression of hope or desire. As Ludwig AI explains, it requires a modal verb like "may" to be grammatically sound. While some examples exist, they often represent informal or unedited speech.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "common sense prevail" expresses a hope that rational thinking will guide a situation. However, it is grammatically incorrect as highlighted by Ludwig AI. The correct form is "may common sense prevail". While the uncorrected phrase appears in some contexts, especially in News & Media, it is better to use the grammatically correct version or rephrase for clarity. Related phrases include "may common sense triumph" and "let reason guide us". Remember to prioritize grammatical accuracy and consider context when using this phrase. Ludwig's analysis suggests that while the sentiment is clear, grammatical precision is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may common sense triumph

Replaces "prevail" with "triumph", emphasizing a decisive victory of common sense.

let common sense rule

Substitutes "prevail" with "rule", suggesting that common sense should be in charge.

hope that reason will prevail

Focuses on "reason" instead of "common sense", and uses a more formal tone.

may rationality win

Replaces "common sense" with "rationality" and "prevail" with "win", highlighting logical thinking.

let good sense guide us

Uses "good sense" as a substitute and "guide us" for "prevail", suggesting direction and influence.

may wisdom prevail

Emphasizes "wisdom" as the key element, suggesting a deeper understanding influencing the outcome.

if reason holds sway

Uses the more formal "reason holds sway", indicating influence and control.

where level-headedness wins out

Highlights "level-headedness" as the prevailing quality, suggesting calmness and composure.

with sound judgment taking precedence

Focuses on the importance of "sound judgment" and its priority in decision-making.

when sanity prevails

Emphasizes "sanity" as the prevailing force, suggesting a return to normal or rational thinking.

FAQs

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

You can use "common sense" in various sentences, such as "Use your "common sense" when making decisions" or "Common sense is not always common practice".

What's a more formal way to say "may common sense prevail"?

A more formal alternative to "may common sense prevail" is "let reason guide us" or "may wisdom take charge".

Which is correct, "common sense prevail" or "may common sense prevail"?

According to Ludwig AI, the correct phrase is "may common sense prevail". The phrase "common sense prevail" is missing a modal verb.

What does "may common sense prevail" mean?

It expresses a hope or wish that rational thinking and sound judgment will guide a decision or situation to a positive outcome. Alternatives include "let reason prevail" or "hope reason prevails".