common to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "common to be" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express something that is frequently encountered or typical, but it lacks proper context and structure. Example: "It is common to be late for meetings in this office."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On Long Island it's pretty common to be isolated.

The New York Times

"In the days before Sept. 11 it was common to be harassed," Mr. Sardar said.

The New York Times

It's common to be misread by people who don't know you.

The New Yorker

I thought we had more in common, to be honest, but obviously not.

The Guardian - Music

Racism was rife and it was common to be stopped, searched and often humiliated.

The Guardian - Books

"Now it's pretty common to be able to synchronize a phone's contacts with the car setup".

The New York Times

"It's not common to be contacted by someone within the direct family.

The New York Times - Sports

"We don't have many things in common, to be honest," Qureshi said.

The New York Times - Sports

WHEN shopping for a smartphone, it is common to be drawn to the coolest design.

The New York Times - Tech

Like Mr. Svay Ken, most see themselves as ordinary and unimportant and their sufferings as too common to be noted.

The New York Times

With other A-listers, it's all too common to be rebuffed by several layers of management, publicists and protective naysayers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "common to be" is frequently used, consider using grammatically correct alternatives like "it is common" or "commonly found" for clarity and precision in your writing. Ensure that your sentence structure follows standard English grammar rules to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "common to be" instead of the correct structure "it is common to be." Always include the subject "it" to maintain grammatical accuracy and prevent the sentence from sounding awkward or incomplete. For example, instead of writing "Late to be for meetings", write "It is common to be late for meetings".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "common to be" functions as part of a predicate, aiming to describe a state or condition that frequently occurs. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it lacks proper grammatical structure and often needs the addition of "it is" for correctness. The intended function is to express typicality or frequency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

32%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "common to be" is frequently encountered, it is often grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI flags this phrasing as needing improvement, typically requiring the addition of "it is" to form a grammatically sound sentence. Its primary function is to describe something as typical or frequently occurring, predominantly in News & Media and Science contexts. For formal or professional writing, it is advisable to opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "commonly found" or "typically observed" to ensure clarity and precision. Despite its prevalence, prioritizing grammatical accuracy enhances the credibility and effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commonly found

Replaces the verb "to be" with "found", emphasizing the act of discovering something frequently.

generally seen

Shifts the focus to observation, indicating that something is typically perceived in a certain way.

typically observed

Emphasizes the aspect of observation and typicality, suggesting a pattern or trend.

frequently encountered

Highlights the experience of regularly coming across something.

usually present

Focuses on the consistent existence or availability of something.

ordinarily the case

Expresses that something is the standard or expected situation.

characteristically so

Emphasizes that something is a typical trait or feature.

widely accepted

Highlights the widespread agreement or belief in something.

commonly known

Focuses on the general awareness or understanding of something.

in general use

Indicates that something is broadly utilized or practiced.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use the phrase "common to be"?

While "common to be" appears in some contexts, it's often grammatically incorrect. The correct usage usually involves adding "it is" before the phrase, like "It is common to be" or rephrasing to use adverbs, such as "commonly found".

What are some alternatives to "common to be"?

Alternatives include phrases like "commonly found", "generally seen", or "typically observed", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "common to be" grammatically correct?

According to standard grammar rules, "common to be" is not considered entirely correct. It's better to use "it is common to be" or rephrase the sentence for clarity and grammatical accuracy.

How can I avoid using "common to be" in my writing?

Try restructuring your sentences to use alternative phrases or adding the necessary grammatical elements. For instance, instead of "Errors like these common to be", write "Errors like these are common" or "It is common to see errors like these."