everybody does that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "everybody does that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about a general, commonly accepted action that most people engage in. For example, you could say "Most people like to eat chocolate cake; everybody does that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

If everybody does that, then everything just sits there".

The Guardian

It is important to understand, as not everybody does, that Finlay designed but did not make his sculptures.

The Guardian - Books

"If everybody does that, then we would end up in a tragedy … whereby the cars will not minimize casualties," Rahwan adds.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Murray, the everyman and the anti-brand brand: "There's something about the characters and the traits that I recognise, as everybody does – that lostness – he seems to get the joke," says Griffiths.

Independent

In fact, everybody does; that's one of the joys of the internet age.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But everybody does that," he said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

"Doesn't everybody do that?" he asked.

The New York Times

If everybody did that, the Forum would be much larger and much harder to wade through than it already is.

Yale University

If everybody did that every day we'd be a lot happier".

The Guardian

Suppose we ask the question, "is it OK to commit suicide when feeling frustrated with the world?" And Kant says: suppose everybody did that.

Yale University

What intrigues Mr. Schröder is not so much his father's role; "everybody did that," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "everybody does that" to downplay an action or suggest it's not unique. This can create a sense of shared experience or normalize a behavior.

Common error

Be careful not to use "everybody does that" when referring to actions that are controversial or not genuinely universal. This can lead to misinterpretations or offend those who don't share the same experiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "everybody does that" functions as an assertion or statement to indicate that a particular action, habit, or behavior is common and widespread. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used to normalize or downplay something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "everybody does that" is a phrase used to normalize or downplay an action by suggesting it's a common practice. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. While generally informal, the phrase appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as academic settings. While grammatically sound and generally accepted, be mindful of using the phrase when referring to sensitive or non-universal actions, ensuring context appropriateness. Remember to use alternatives such as "that's what people usually do" if you want a slight variation, always aiming for precision in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everyone engages in that

Replaces 'does' with 'engages in', offering a slightly more formal tone.

it's a common practice

Shifts from the actor to the action itself, emphasizing the prevalence of the practice.

that's what people usually do

Uses 'people usually do' to highlight the typical nature of the action.

it's a universal habit

Emphasizes the widespread nature of the habit.

most people are inclined to do that

Focuses on inclination, suggesting a natural tendency.

that's standard practice

Indicates the action is a normal or accepted procedure.

it's generally accepted

Highlights the acceptance of the action within a community or society.

that's the norm

Short and direct, indicating the action is typical.

it's commonplace

Emphasizes the frequency and ordinariness of the action.

it's a shared experience

Focuses on the communal aspect of the action.

FAQs

What does "everybody does that" mean?

It means that a particular action, behavior, or opinion is very common and widespread; essentially, it's something most people do or agree with.

How can I use "everybody does that" in a sentence?

You can use it to suggest an action is normal. For example, "I check my phone first thing in the morning; "everybody does that"."

What are some alternative ways to say "everybody does that"?

You can use alternatives like "that's what people usually do", "it's a common practice", or "that's the norm". Each offers a slightly different nuance but conveys a similar meaning.

When is it inappropriate to use "everybody does that"?

It's best to avoid using it when referring to actions that are sensitive, ethically questionable, or not actually universally practiced. Using it in such cases could come across as dismissive or insensitive.