in common

USAGE SUMMARY

"in common" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something that two or more people, places, or things have in common. For example, "Both the US and Canada have lakes and forests in common."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Shared in common" seems redundant.

The New York Times

They had much in common.

The New York Times

They have that in common.

The New York Times

They've got nothing in common".

Independent

They had plenty in common.

The New York Times - Books

All meals were in common.

The New Yorker

We have that in common".

The New York Times

Nothing in common?

The Guardian - Books

What they have in common is poverty.

The Economist

What do these collaborators have in common?

The New York Times - Arts

FISHERMEN have something in common with cowboys.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in common" to link two subjects by placing it after the verb "have", as in "They have many things in common".

Common error

Avoid the redundant phrase "shared in common". Since both "shared" and "in common" imply the same thing, pick one to keep your writing concise and professional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in common" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase used adverbially or adjectivally to modify a relationship between subjects. As noted by Ludwig, it frequently appears after transitive verbs like "have" or "share", though the latter is sometimes considered redundant by linguistic experts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "in common" is a vital and highly flexible phrase in English used to denote shared characteristics or joint possession. Analysis of Ludwig data shows a massive prevalence in prestigious media outlets such as The New York Times and The Economist, underscoring its reliability in professional writing. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and most effective when used with the verb "have". However, writers should remain vigilant against the redundant construction "shared in common". Whether you are describing mutual interests in a casual setting or parallel findings in an academic paper, "in common" remains the standard choice for highlighting similarities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared

More direct and often acts as an adjective rather than part of a prepositional phrase.

mutual

Emphasizes the reciprocal nature of a feeling or relationship between two parties.

alike

Functions as an adjective or adverb to describe similarity in appearance or nature.

jointly held

Used specifically for legal or physical possession of property and assets.

overlapping

Suggests partial similarity or interests that cover the same area.

parallel

Implies that two things are similar in development or structure without necessarily being identical.

of a piece

A more literary idiom suggesting that different parts are consistent or have the same character.

collectively

Focuses on the group action or state rather than the specific trait being shared.

kindred

Often used for spiritual or emotional similarities, especially in the phrase kindred spirits.

in unison

Refers to things happening at the same time or in perfect agreement rather than just sharing traits.

FAQs

How to use "in common" in a sentence?

The phrase is typically used with the verb have to describe similarities. For example, "The two theories have several points <a href="/s/in+common" target="_blank" rel="alternative">in common".

What is the difference between "in common" and "shared"?

While similar, "<a href="/s/shared" target="_blank" rel="alternative">shared" is more versatile as an adjective (e.g., shared interests), whereas "in common" almost always functions as a post-modifier for the object of the sentence.

Is it "have in common" or "on common"?

The correct idiom is always "<a href="/s/have+in+common" target="_blank" rel="alternative">have in common". Using "on common" is a grammatical error and should be avoided.

What can I say instead of "in common"?

You can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/alike" target="_blank" rel="alternative">alike", "<a href="/s/mutual" target="_blank" rel="alternative">mutual", or "<a href="/s/comparable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">comparable" depending on whether you are describing a trait or a relationship.