far too common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "far too common" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs frequently or is overly prevalent. Example: "The issue of misinformation online has become far too common in today's digital age."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Botched executions, however, are far too common.

The New York Times

Poverty and stunting from malnutrition are far too common.

The Economist

"Management audit and studies have far too common a reputation of collecting dust on a shelf.

The New York Times

Buying stuff in the teeth of recession represents a vulgar but far too common impulse.

The New York Times

If this happens the film is usually thrown out, a fate that's far too common".

The Guardian - Film

This suggests that ballot confusion is far too common a feature of Florida elections.

The New York Times

Shorten said: "Discrimination against people with disability is still far too common in Australia.

The Guardian

"Aggressive cross-examination like this is far too common an event," he told the Today programme.

The Guardian

Airplanes and airports are crowded, and delays are far too common.

The New York Times

When people are living shoulder-to-shoulder, death becomes much more public, and in South Sudan, far too common.

The New York Times

Far too common these days is the attitude that what one does in his "private" life should be ignored.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far too common" to express concern or disapproval about the frequency of something. It adds emphasis compared to simply saying "common".

Common error

While "far too common" is effective, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "overly frequent" or "excessively prevalent" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far too common" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective. It intensifies the adjective "common", indicating a high degree of frequency that is often viewed negatively. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "far too common" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote an undesirable frequency of an event or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to intensify the adjective "common", adding a layer of concern or disapproval. Predominantly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse writing styles. While effective, avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "overly frequent" to enhance writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all too frequent

Implies a negative connotation and familiarity with the occurrence.

overly frequent

Highlights the high occurrence rate, often implying it's undesirable.

excessively prevalent

Emphasizes the widespread nature of something undesirable.

undesirably common

Directly states the undesirability of something's commonness.

disturbingly widespread

Highlights the worrying extent of something.

rampant

Suggests something is spreading uncontrollably.

pervasive

Indicates something is spread throughout.

ubiquitous

Implies something is present everywhere.

widespread

Simply indicates something is happening in many places or affecting many people.

increasingly common

Suggests that something's frequency is on the rise.

FAQs

How can I use "far too common" in a sentence?

You can use "far too common" to express that something happens more often than is desirable or acceptable. For example: "Data breaches are "far too common" these days".

What can I say instead of "far too common"?

Alternatives include "overly frequent", "excessively prevalent", or "all too frequent", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "far too common" formal or informal?

"Far too common" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, you might opt for a more sophisticated synonym like "undesirably common".

What's the difference between "far too common" and "very common"?

"Far too common" carries a stronger negative connotation than "very common". It implies that something is not only frequent but also undesirable. "Very common" simply indicates high frequency without necessarily expressing disapproval.