commonplace

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "commonplace" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean something that is ordinary, usual, or standard. For example: "It's commonplace for people to eat their meals at regular times throughout the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The challenge now is not in protecting what is innovative about people, but what is commonplace.

The Guardian

He claims that he was simply making the point that the main power bases in Europe were well known for being cultures in which homosexuality was commonplace.

The Guardian - Music

Ideas that once seemed radical are now commonplace.

The Guardian

Ever since Ronald Reagan said: "The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help", it has been commonplace to assume that bureaucracy means government.

The Guardian - Books

Is the casual objectification of women so commonplace that we should all just suck it up, roll over and accept defeat?

The Guardian - Music

The depressing reality is that campaigns like the Everyday Sexism Project would not need to exist were casual sexism not so startlingly commonplace.

The Guardian - Music

Through the 19th century and for much of the 20th, it was commonplace to believe that subject peoples could never throw off the yoke of empire unless they abandoned the language of the imperial oppressor.

The Guardian - Opinion

Last month some of the cartoon's early episodes were given a health warning on Amazon, warning that they represent "some ethnic and racial prejudices that were once commonplace in American society … that were wrong then and are wrong now".

The Guardian

Transporting heavy building materials across dirt streets riven with gullies and piled high with detritus is not easy, and theft of building materials is commonplace in Kibera.

The Guardian

Panasenko accused the human rights advocates of preparing and distributing "statements, papers and reports" demonstrating "torture is a commonplace occurrence in Russian institutions".

The Guardian

It's become commonplace for San Francisco physician Daphne Miller to write prescriptions that look like this: Drug: Exercise in Glen Canyon Park Dose: 45 minutes of walking or running Directions: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 7am Refills: Unlimited She estimates she has now written hundreds of prescriptions for outdoor activity.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commonplace" to effectively convey that something is ordinary or frequently encountered. It adds a nuanced tone to your writing, suggesting familiarity or lack of uniqueness.

Common error

While "commonplace" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal or technical writing where more precise terminology might be appropriate. Instead, consider alternatives like "prevalent" or "established" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "commonplace" is as an adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that something is ordinary or frequently encountered. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commonplace" is a grammatically correct and widely used term to describe something ordinary or frequently encountered, as verified by Ludwig AI. It functions primarily as an adjective and maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts, especially News & Media. When writing, ensure its usage aligns with the desired tone, opting for more precise language in highly formal settings. Consider synonyms like "ordinary", "typical", or "familiar" for variety. According to the examples, The Guardian and The Economist are authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Everyday occurrence

Stresses the daily and mundane nature of an event.

Frequently occurring

Emphasizes the high occurrence rate of something.

Routinely observed

Focuses on the act of observing something happening frequently.

Typically found

Highlights that something is normally and usually present.

Regularly encountered

Highlights the habitual nature of finding something.

Standard practice

Refers to something that is a usual or accepted way of doing something.

Generally known

Highlights that information is widely available or understood.

Widely accepted

Focuses on the acceptance rather than the frequency of the idea.

Well-established

Indicates something has been around for a long time and is recognized.

Universally acknowledged

Emphasizes the widespread agreement or recognition of something.

FAQs

How can I use "commonplace" in a sentence?

"Commonplace" can be used to describe something that is ordinary or frequently encountered. For example, "It is "commonplace" to see people using smartphones in public places."

What are some alternatives to "commonplace"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "ordinary", "typical", "routine", or "familiar".

Is it better to say "commonplace" or "widespread"?

Both "commonplace" and "widespread" are valid, but they have slightly different nuances. "Commonplace" emphasizes ordinariness, while "widespread" focuses on the extent of something's occurrence or acceptance.

Can "commonplace" be used in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "commonplace" is generally acceptable in both formal and informal writing, although in very formal contexts, you might consider more precise or sophisticated synonyms.