commonest

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "commonest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that is more common than something else. Example: The commonest breed of dog in the city was the Chihuahua.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In my years of caring for pregnant women before we had scans to determine the sex of their babies, this was one of the commonest questions they asked.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is the third commonest cause of premature death in the UK.

The Guardian

Paracetamol overdose is the commonest cause of acute liver failure (a rare condition).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The American authorities do not think mice and rats are worth counting and, as these are the commonest laboratory animals, the true figure is much higher.

The Economist

The commonest system is to sell stickers or tags which householders attach to rubbish bags or cans.

The Economist

The commonest, and most controversial, is the idea that Yisrael Beiteinu could join the government; its head, Avigdor Lieberman, has advocated stripping some Palestinian Israelis of their citizenship and transferring the towns they live in to the Palestinian Authority.

The Economist

Of the various religious and cultural questions that businesses and other employers have to cope with, whether in managing their own staff or tailoring their products and services, dietary taboos based on faith, especially seasonal taboos, are among the commonest and most sensitive.

The Economist

But General Atlantic's Steve Denning points out that GE's continued stake gives it an interest in selling for a fair value".Captive" BPO operations have been among the commonest vehicles for moving work offshore, especially among banks.

The Economist

ALZHEIMER'S disease is by far the commonest form of dementia.

The Economist

The commonest reason for IT failures is that custom-made systems are built to fit existing ways of working.

The Economist

Estradiol, the commonest variety of the hormone, acts on two types of receptors, ER-alpha and ER-beta.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commonest" when you want to emphasize that something occurs more often than anything else in a given context. Ensure the context is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "commonest" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "most common" or "most frequent" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The word "commonest" functions as a superlative adjective. It modifies a noun to indicate that it is the most frequent or prevalent among a group. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "commonest" functions as a superlative adjective, denoting the highest degree of frequency or prevalence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, primarily in written English. While effective in formal contexts, such as news and media, it might sound overly formal in casual conversation, where alternatives like "most common" or "most frequent" may be preferred. Examples provided by Ludwig highlight its use in identifying the most frequent element within a defined context. The Economist and The Guardian are examples of authoritative sources in which this word is used. Overall, "commonest" is a valuable term for precise communication when a formal tone is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most frequent

Focuses on the frequency of occurrence rather than general prevalence.

most prevalent

Highlights the widespread presence or acceptance of something.

most widespread

Emphasizes the extensive distribution of something.

most typical

Suggests that something is representative of a particular group or category.

most usual

Indicates what is normally or habitually the case.

predominant

Implies that something has the most influence or power.

dominant

Similar to predominant but can also suggest control or authority.

chief

Focuses on importance or rank rather than frequency.

foremost

Highlights prominence or leading position.

primary

Indicates the main or principal aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "commonest" in a sentence?

Use "commonest" to indicate something is the most frequent. For example, "Alzheimer's disease is by far the "commonest" form of dementia".

What's a simpler alternative to "commonest"?

Alternatives include "most common", "most frequent", or "most prevalent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "commonest" always the best word to use instead of "most common"?

While "commonest" is grammatically correct, it can sound slightly formal or archaic. "Most common" is often a safer and more widely accepted choice, especially in informal contexts.

What is the difference between "commonest" and "most common"?

"Commonest" is the superlative form of "common", indicating the highest degree of frequency or prevalence. "Most common" is a more common and often preferred alternative that serves the same purpose.