is common to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is common to' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used when comparing two or more things to say that the same quality or feature is shared by all of them. For example, "Friendliness is a trait common to all members of the family."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is common to catastrophise.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"What is common to Singapore, Israel and America?

The New York Times

That is common to young people anywhere".

The Guardian - Books

The first is common to both: indiscipline.

The Guardian - Books

Insulin is common to many animal species.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, its biology is common to all.

The New York Times - Science

It is common to the Mashreq area.

Columbia University

IT is common to feel foolish at the tire store.

The New York Times

The problem is common to solid rocket boosters.

The New York Times - Science

But one thing is common to all these figures.

The Guardian - Opinion

What is common to these specific threats is their unconventionality.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is common to" when you want to emphasize a shared characteristic or attribute among multiple subjects. Be sure that all subjects truly share the attribute to avoid misleading statements.

Common error

Avoid using "is common to" when referring to a single subject. This phrase implies a shared trait, so it requires at least two subjects for accurate usage. For example, it's incorrect to say "This trait is common to the dog."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is common to" functions as a linking phrase, connecting a subject with a shared attribute or characteristic. As seen in Ludwig, it serves to establish a commonality between different entities or concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

30%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is common to" is a versatile linking phrase used to highlight shared attributes or characteristics between multiple subjects. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. It appears frequently in scientific, news, and academic sources. When writing, ensure the subjects truly share the attribute to avoid misleading statements. Alternatives such as "is shared by" or "is characteristic of" can be used for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is shared by

Focuses on the aspect of sharing a characteristic.

is typical of

Emphasizes the representative nature of a characteristic.

is characteristic of

Highlights a distinguishing feature.

is found in

Indicates presence or occurrence in multiple entities.

is present in

Focuses on the existence of a feature.

is a trait of

Highlights a quality or feature inherent to multiple subjects.

applies to

Suggests relevance or applicability to multiple subjects.

pertains to

Implies a connection or relevance to multiple entities.

is uniform across

Highlights consistency across a group.

is universally observed in

Emphasizes widespread occurrence.

FAQs

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

Use "is common to" to indicate that a specific attribute, feature, or characteristic is shared between two or more subjects. For example, "This problem "is common to" industrialized and less developed countries."

What are some alternatives to "is common to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is shared by", "is typical of", or "is characteristic of", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "is common to" or "are common to"?

"Is common to" is used when referring to a singular subject sharing a trait with others, while "are common to" is used when referring to multiple subjects sharing a trait. Example: "This problem is common to many countries" versus "These problems are common to many countries".

What's the difference between "is common to" and "applies to"?

"Is common to" emphasizes a shared trait or characteristic, while "applies to" suggests relevance or applicability. "Is common to" indicates that something is inherently a part of multiple subjects, while "applies to" suggests that something affects or is relevant to those subjects.