is a common situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is a common situation" is correct and can be used in written English in various contexts.
For example, "Being stuck in traffic is a common situation for most urban commuters."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a common situation, especially for mosques that are attached to major charitable foundations.

The New Yorker

This is a common situation in quantum physics: probabilities are predicted, but individual events are not.

The Guardian

High complexity and variety is a common situation nowadays in most enterprises.

Procedia Computer Science

This is a common situation across the country, and a gap that Islamic charities are keen to fill.

The Guardian

Among different scenarios that a side-by-side robotic wheelchair has to deal with, crossing pedestrians is a common situation.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

It is a common situation nowadays that business groups own different companies that operate in an autonomous way.

Information Systems

The heat transfer between the deep sea waters and the oil and gas mixtures flowing through production lines is a common situation in the petroleum industry.

Applied Thermal Engineering

This is a common situation in forensic work – being asked to re-analyse evidence – but being informed of the previous results provided a clear prior suggestion that they didn't match.

The Guardian

In particular, this is a common situation for industrial vehicles whose mission profiles involves a relevant consumption of energy by the on board hydraulic systems, respect to the one really needed for only traction purpose.

Applied Energy

In the design of slender concrete columns, such as civil or architecture constructions, biaxial compression loads with unequal eccentricities and skew angles at both ends is a common situation.

Engineering Structures

"Seeing animals suffering from health conditions secondary to their obesity is a common situation," said Dr. Louise Murray, vice president of the Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, run by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in New York.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is a common situation", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the situation common. Provide specific examples or details to support the claim.

Common error

Avoid using "is a common situation" without sufficient evidence or context. Overgeneralizing can weaken your argument and reduce the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is a common situation" functions as a predicate nominative, linking a subject to a noun phrase that renames or describes it. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is used to characterize something as typical or frequently occurring. It usually needs more context, which are often added in the sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is a common situation" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe events or circumstances that occur frequently or are widely observed. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is indeed correct and applicable across numerous contexts, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in diverse sources. It functions as a predicate nominative, serving to normalize and provide context for various scenarios. While its register is generally neutral, it's essential to provide sufficient context to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives such as ""is a frequent occurrence"" or ""is a typical scenario"" can be used to add nuance, depending on the specific context. Given its frequency and widespread usage, mastering this phrase can significantly enhance clarity and impact in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is a frequent occurrence

Replaces "situation" with "occurrence", emphasizing the event's regularity.

is a typical scenario

Substitutes "common" with "typical" and "situation" with "scenario", highlighting the standard nature of the event.

is a widespread phenomenon

Uses "widespread phenomenon" instead of "common situation", suggesting a broad and prevalent event.

is a prevalent condition

Replaces "situation" with "condition", implying a state or circumstance that is widespread.

is a regular event

Emphasizes the habitual or routine nature of the occurrence.

is a general case

Indicates that something is not specific or unique, but rather applies broadly.

is a standard practice

Implies that the situation is an accepted or normal way of doing things.

is a usual circumstance

Highlights the ordinariness and typical nature of the event.

is often the case

Uses a more concise structure to convey the frequency of the situation.

is something that happens often

Emphasizes the frequency of the event in a more descriptive way.

FAQs

How can I use "is a common situation" in a sentence?

You can use "is a common situation" to describe something that frequently occurs or is widely observed, such as, "Being delayed during rush hour is a common situation in big cities".

What can I say instead of "is a common situation"?

Alternatives include "is a frequent occurrence", "is a typical scenario", or "is a widespread phenomenon" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "is a common situation that happens frequently?"

Yes, saying "is a common situation that happens frequently" is redundant. The word "common" already implies that something happens often, so it's best to use either "is a common situation" or "happens frequently", but not both.

In what contexts is "is a common situation" most appropriate?

"Is a common situation" works well in analytical writing, reports, and discussions where you need to describe widespread occurrences or conditions. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though the surrounding language may need adjustments based on register.