commonplace achievement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commonplace achievement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an accomplishment that is ordinary or typical, often lacking in uniqueness or distinction. Example: "Winning the local spelling bee was a commonplace achievement for many students in our school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To have found expression for it, without grandiloquence, is no commonplace achievement.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Of course, likeness meant more, as a technical feat, in the days before cameras made its achievement commonplace and cheap.

The New York Times - Arts

Setting targets has become commonplace as a way of measuring achievement and progress.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the process, he's also raised the bar for the contemporary Irish novel; which, in a country such as Ireland, where good writers often seem as commonplace as pigeons, constitutes no small achievement.

The Guardian - Books

And so, in the end, one suspects that he wants Minnie's good-natured, commonplace ways to stand as their own achievement, reminding us that life continues in the places left behind.

The New York Times - Books

The issue of coaches and parents obsessing about all-state teams, scholarships and pro contracts has become so commonplace that psychiatrists have dubbed the condition Achievement by Proxy Syndrome.

Huffington Post

Feeling threatened by the achievements of fellow colleagues is a commonplace problem in workplaces.

WikiHow

Such resurrections are commonplace in Phaethon's day; in fact, it is the achievement of immortality that has robbed humanity of its risk-taking verve.

The New York Times - Books

One of the reasons why feminism has been shunned from our schools is because of the now commonplace – and highly necessary – recognition that on average girls' academic achievement is higher than boys.

The Guardian

But the fact that achievement on such a high level could become commonplace, speaks to the high caliber of competition those who call this area home are regularly treated to.

Los Angeles Times

Nevertheless, in perhaps the most remarkable achievement of the campaign, such language was to become almost commonplace in 2016 American politics.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "commonplace achievement" to subtly downplay an accomplishment without being overtly critical. This is useful in situations where acknowledging progress is necessary, but excessive praise is unwarranted.

Common error

Avoid using "commonplace achievement" in overly formal or celebratory contexts. Its slightly dismissive tone can be misconstrued as insincere or condescending.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commonplace achievement" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "commonplace" modifies the noun "achievement". Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in contexts where an achievement is being assessed for its significance, often implying it is not particularly remarkable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "commonplace achievement" describes an accomplishment that is ordinary, typical, and lacks distinction. As highlighted by Ludwig, its primary function is to downplay the significance of an achievement, suggesting it is not particularly remarkable. While grammatically correct and understandable, the phrase is not very common, predominantly appearing in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms that while the phrase is usable, it should be wielded carefully, especially in formal settings, to prevent unintentional offense. Alternatives like "ordinary accomplishment" or "routine success" may offer a more neutral tone depending on the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ordinary accomplishment

Replaces "commonplace" with a more direct synonym, emphasizing the lack of distinction.

typical accomplishment

Highlights that the achievement aligns with expectation and doesn't impress.

routine success

Highlights the habitual nature of the achievement, implying it's not exceptional.

minor accomplishment

Directly indicates that the achievement is of little importance or scale.

trivial feat

Underscores the insignificance of the achievement, suggesting it's easily done.

unremarkable success

Emphasizes the lack of noteworthy qualities in the achievement.

easily attained goal

Focuses on the ease of achieving the objective, implying it required minimal effort.

standard attainment

Suggests the achievement is simply meeting expectations, not exceeding them.

run-of-the-mill achievement

Uses an idiom to convey the ordinariness and lack of uniqueness.

garden-variety success

Another idiomatic expression highlighting the commonness of the achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "commonplace achievement" in a sentence?

You can use "commonplace achievement" to describe an accomplishment that is ordinary or not particularly impressive. For example: "While graduating college is an accomplishment, in many circles it's become a commonplace achievement".

What are some alternatives to "commonplace achievement"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "ordinary accomplishment", "routine success", or "minor accomplishment".

Is "commonplace achievement" positive or negative?

"Commonplace achievement" tends to have a neutral to slightly negative connotation. It suggests that something once considered special is now typical or expected, which is also indicated in the example sentences found by Ludwig.

In what situations would "commonplace achievement" be appropriate to use?

It's suitable when you want to acknowledge an accomplishment without overstating its significance, perhaps because it's widely attainable or no longer particularly challenging.