common traits

USAGE SUMMARY

"common traits" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing shared qualities that are found among people or things. For example, "Many family members share common traits such as dark hair, hazel eyes, and a strong work ethic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

These are not common traits.

The New York Times

What we do know is that psychopaths share common traits.

The Guardian - Sport

Neoliberal governance has common traits across the planet.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many of the deals share some common traits.

The New York Times

The common traits they all had were quality, innovation and restrained growth.

The Guardian

"It reinforces the fact that Asian cultures share many common traits.

The New York Times - Tech

Because they went up as part of a planned community, the houses have many common traits.

The New York Times

They share, says Bertelsen, the Aarhus model's psychology expert, certain common traits.

The Guardian

Among the common traits, Mr. Berman suggested, are "freshness, inventiveness, rhythmic vigor, an eclectic point of view".

The New York Times - Arts

"Condi and Javad had many common traits," Ved Nanda, who taught both and was on Zarif's dissertation committee, recalled.

The New Yorker

Among the rich there are a few common traits, as a biologist friend of Mr. Conniff confided to him.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing distinct groups or entities, use "common traits" to highlight shared characteristics, fostering a sense of connection or understanding between them.

Common error

Avoid assuming that identifying a few "common traits" provides a complete understanding of a group or individual. Always consider the unique variations and nuances that may exist beyond these shared attributes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "common traits" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies shared characteristics or attributes among a group of people, objects, or concepts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this expression is correct and widely used in different writing contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

19%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the noun phrase "common traits" effectively denotes shared attributes or characteristics across various subjects. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and versatile usage make it a reliable choice for writers. Found most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, this expression serves to highlight similarities and facilitate understanding. When using "common traits", remember to avoid overgeneralization and to consider the nuanced variations beyond these shared attributes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared characteristics

Replaces "traits" with "characteristics", a direct synonym, slightly more formal.

common attributes

A more common alternative, simply replacing "traits" with its direct synonym.

similar attributes

Uses "attributes" instead of "traits", focusing on qualities or features.

shared qualities

Highlights the inherent nature of the shared aspects, using "qualities".

mutual features

Emphasizes the shared nature with "mutual", and uses "features" as a synonym for "traits".

similar properties

Focuses on the inherent attributes, using "properties" which implies inherent characteristics.

shared aspects

More general, referring to shared elements or facets.

collective attributes

Emphasizes the group aspect, implying that these attributes belong to a collection.

typical features

Shifts focus to representative or standard characteristics that are frequently observed.

universal characteristics

Highlights features present across many instances, implying widespread presence.

FAQs

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

You can use "common traits" to highlight shared characteristics among different entities. For example, "Despite their different backgrounds, the team members shared "common traits" such as dedication and a strong work ethic."

What are some alternatives to "common traits"?

Alternatives to "common traits" include "shared characteristics", "similar attributes", or "mutual features". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "commonly traits" instead of "common traits"?

No, "commonly traits" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "common traits", where "common" is an adjective describing the noun "traits."

What's the difference between "common traits" and "common characteristics"?

The phrases "common traits" and "common characteristics" are often used interchangeably. Both refer to shared attributes or features, with a subtle difference: "traits" might imply more inherent qualities, while "characteristics" can include learned or acquired attributes.