commonly use

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commonly use" is not correct in English; it should be "commonly used." You can use it when describing something that is frequently utilized or practiced.
Example: "The term is commonly used in academic writing to refer to established theories."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Large trucks commonly use the ferry, company officials said.

The New York Times

Pro athletes more commonly use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The New York Times - Sports

How do governments most commonly use this power?

The New York Times

The only country whose players commonly use it is Brazil.

The Guardian - Sport

In Niger, farmers commonly use Coca-Cola bottle caps to measure the dose.

The Guardian

Excluding instances of genuine grammatical confusion, do you commonly use the word "illegal" as a noun?

The New Yorker

For instance, male gang members commonly use sexual violence against women to enhance their reputation.

The Guardian

African American men also commonly use it to refer to behavior they find distasteful.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I will avoid lengthy words," he wrote, "and will make use of those terms which workers commonly use today".

The Guardian - Arts

Meteorologists commonly use a gauge that consists of a small straight-sided cylinder within a bigger cylinder, Mr. Miner said.

The New York Times - Science

Yet, prisons and jails commonly use isolation as punishment for violating prison rules, including both violent and nonviolent infractions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "commonly use" is frequently encountered, favor the grammatically correct and widely accepted form, "commonly used", to ensure clarity and maintain credibility in your writing.

Common error

Avoid the error of using "commonly use" by remembering that in most contexts, you'll need the past participle form, "commonly used", to describe something that is generally or frequently utilized.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commonly use" functions primarily as a verb phrase intending to describe an action or practice that occurs frequently or is typical. However, it is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "commonly used", functioning as an adjectival phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "commonly use" appears frequently in various contexts, it's essential to recognize that, as Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct and preferred form is "commonly used", which functions as an adjective to describe something that is generally practiced or utilized. Despite its prevalence, particularly in News & Media and Scientific sources, adopting the grammatically sound alternative ensures clarity and enhances the credibility of your writing. Opt for phrases like ""frequently use"" or ""typically utilize"" where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frequently use

Emphasizes the regularity with which something is used.

regularly employ

Highlights a consistent and methodical use of something.

typically utilize

Focuses on the standard or expected way something is used.

generally apply

Indicates a widespread or common application of something.

widely adopt

Suggests a broad acceptance and use of a particular method or practice.

customarily exercise

Implies a habitual or traditional use of something.

ordinarily resort to

Highlights that something is used as a normal course of action.

commonly implement

Focuses on the practical application or execution of something.

conventionally handle

Indicates that something is dealt with in a standard or accepted manner.

routinely administer

Suggests a systematic and regular application, often in a controlled environment.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "commonly use"?

According to Ludwig AI, the grammatically correct form is "commonly used". While "commonly use" might be understood, it's best to use "commonly used" for formal writing.

What's a better way to phrase "commonly use"?

Consider using alternatives like "frequently use", "typically utilize", or "widely adopt" to convey a similar meaning with better grammatical precision.

How can I use "commonly used" in a sentence?

Example: "The term 'algorithm' is "commonly used" in computer science." Note that it acts as an adjective modifying 'term'.

What is the difference between "commonly use" and "commonly used"?

"Commonly use" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts. "Commonly used" is the past participle form, functioning as an adjective to describe something that is frequently utilized or practiced. For example, "This method is "commonly used" by researchers".