common situation

USAGE SUMMARY

'common situation' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that is familiar and often occurs, especially in comparison to other similar situations. For example, "Being stuck in traffic is a common situation during rush hour in a large city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"That's a common situation," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

Discuss this common situation with your partner).

The New York Times

It is, many pediatricians said, a common situation.

The New York Times

It's a common situation and we're used to it".

Independent

Unfortunately, his organisation operates on virtually no budget; a common situation in Oklahoma.

The Guardian

He may find himself in an increasingly common situation known in the industry as "upside down".

The New York Times

The sisters are in a common situation, said Helga's lawyer, Andrew Towner of East Hampton.

The New York Times

This is a fairly common situation for the President's science adviser.

The Guardian

Mrs. Barry was in a common situation, said Margaret Keaveney, communications director for Catholic Charities.

The New York Times

This is a common situation, especially for mosques that are attached to major charitable foundations.

The New Yorker

F.D.A. officials said they relied on inspections by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, a common situation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "common situation" when you want to emphasize that a particular event, problem, or circumstance is not unique or unusual. This helps to contextualize information and manage expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "common situation" when describing extremely obvious or universally known facts. It can sound redundant or condescending. Instead, reserve it for contexts where the commonality adds a layer of meaning or insight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "common situation" functions as a noun phrase, where "common" modifies the noun "situation". It indicates that a particular circumstance or event is not rare or unusual. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "common situation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe scenarios that are neither unique nor unusual. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its prevalence across diverse sources, including news outlets like The New York Times and scientific publications, highlights its versatility. When using the phrase, it's best to reserve it for situations where emphasizing the commonality adds meaningful context. While "frequent occurrence" and "typical scenario" serve as alternatives, "common situation" maintains a neutral tone suitable for various registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frequent occurrence

Emphasizes the regularity with which the situation happens.

typical scenario

Highlights the representative nature of the situation.

prevalent circumstance

Focuses on the widespread existence of the situation.

recurring event

Stresses the repeated nature of the situation.

usual case

Indicates the situation is the standard or expected one.

widespread issue

Highlights that it's a broadly encountered problem.

familiar predicament

Implies the situation is well-known and potentially challenging.

established pattern

Focuses on the repetitive and predictable nature of the situation.

standard practice

Indicates that the situation is a normal or accepted way of doing things.

general state of affairs

Refers to the overall and common conditions or circumstances.

FAQs

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

"Common situation" is used to describe a scenario that occurs frequently. For example, "Being stuck in traffic is a "common situation" in this city".

What phrases can I use instead of "common situation"?

Alternatives to "common situation" include "frequent occurrence", "typical scenario", or "prevalent circumstance". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to describe a universal experience as a "common situation"?

While grammatically correct, using "common situation" for something everyone experiences might be redundant. It's more effective when highlighting a commonality that might not be immediately obvious or expected.

How does "common situation" differ from "general state of affairs"?

"Common situation" refers to a specific type of event or circumstance, while "general state of affairs" describes the overall conditions or circumstances at a particular time.