is rather common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is rather common" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is not uncommon, but also not rare or uncommon. Example: "One potential side effect of this medication is rather common, affecting about 30% of patients." In this sentence, "is rather common" is used to describe the frequency of the side effect - it is not rare, but also not the majority of patients experience it.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

This is rather common.

The Guardian - Books

Dirt is rather common among ZANU's elite.

The Economist

Her name was Dolores Franco — her surname, which is rather common, being the same as the dictator's.

The New Yorker

Deficiency of the first enzyme in the pathway, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), is rather common.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The occurrence of dissolved organic matter is rather common in dye-containing industrial wastewater.

Applied Water Science

In Gansu and Qinghai, it is rather common for Tibetan Buddhism to assimilate elements of Daoism.

International Journal of Anthropology and Ethnology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Here it's rather common to chant something racist".

The New York Times - Sports

Jumps of more then seven feet were rather common in the old horse shows.

The New Yorker

It's rather an unorthodox form of distribution but I think it's rather common these days".

The Guardian - Film

It's rather common in the region and this time we are seeing heavier rainfall than in previous years.

The Guardian

The latest-developing, mildest of malformations are rather common in the population and many appear to be dominantly inherited.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is rather common" to indicate that something is not rare, but also not the majority. This phrase is suitable for describing trends, symptoms, or occurrences that are observed with notable frequency.

Common error

Avoid using "is rather common" when describing extremely rare events. This phrase implies a noticeable frequency, so reserve it for situations that genuinely occur with some regularity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather common" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating that something occurs with notable frequency, though not necessarily as the norm. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across varied sources. It serves to qualify the prevalence of a situation or condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

72%

News & Media

16%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is rather common" is a versatile expression used to denote that something occurs with a notable degree of frequency. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse sources such as scientific publications, news articles, and encyclopedias. This analysis shows that its primary function is to describe prevalence, serving to inform the reader that an event or situation is neither rare nor exceptionally frequent. While "is rather common" is suitable for various contexts, it's best used when describing trends, symptoms, or occurrences that happen with some regularity but are not necessarily the norm. Related phrases like "is fairly typical" or "is quite usual" can be used as alternatives to provide similar meaning while varying your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is fairly typical

Replaces "rather common" with "fairly typical", suggesting a moderate level of commonness.

is quite usual

Substitutes "rather common" with "quite usual", indicating a normal occurrence.

is reasonably frequent

Replaces "rather common" with "reasonably frequent", suggesting a regular or repeated occurrence.

is moderately prevalent

Substitutes "rather common" with "moderately prevalent", emphasizing the widespread existence of something.

is somewhat widespread

Replaces "rather common" with "somewhat widespread", focusing on the extent of distribution.

is relatively ordinary

Substitutes "rather common" with "relatively ordinary", indicating a lack of uniqueness.

is fairly general

Replaces "rather common" with "fairly general", suggesting broad applicability or occurrence.

is conventionally found

Substitutes "rather common" with "conventionally found", emphasizing established or typical occurrence.

occurs with some regularity

Replaces "is rather common" with a more verbose phrase that still conveys the idea of frequent occurence.

is not at all unusual

Replaces "is rather common" with a double negative, emphasizing the lack of rarity.

FAQs

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

You can use "is rather common" to describe something that occurs frequently but isn't necessarily the norm. For example, "Experiencing mild discomfort after the procedure "is rather common"".

What's a more formal alternative to "is rather common"?

A more formal alternative could be "is relatively prevalent" or "is reasonably frequent", which maintains a similar meaning but sounds more professional. For example, "The condition "is relatively prevalent" in elderly patients".

Is "is rather common" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "is rather common" can be used in academic writing, especially when describing observations or trends. It's a neutral and clear way to indicate frequency without overstating the prevalence. For example, "This phenomenon "is rather common" in studies of this type".

Which is correct, "is rather common" or "is very common"?

"Is rather common" and "is very common" have similar meanings but imply different degrees of frequency. "Is very common" suggests a higher prevalence than "is rather common". The choice depends on the specific context and how frequent the occurrence actually is.