is this a common occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is this a common occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about the frequency or regularity of a specific event or situation. Example: "I noticed that the trains are often delayed. Is this a common occurrence?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Was this a common occurrence or a freak fixture rarity?" John Chapman has this answer for you, Conan: "For many years home-and-away midweek fixtures were scheduled for the first and second weeks of the season, and they would sometimes both occur in August, depending on the date the season started.

The Guardian - Sport

However, the fear – and at this point there are no signs that this is or was a common occurrence – is that ISPs have the ability to "shape" the video experience unduly through blocking or prioritization of specific traffic from specific providers.

TechCrunch

Why is this becoming a common occurrence?

Vice

Businesses caught doing this just bribe their way out of trouble with the result being that this is a common occurrence in Argentina.

Huffington Post

It should be said that this is a common occurrence, as most budding brands have utilized this selling model to whet the appetite of the distinguished clientele that the esteemed luxury retailer attracts.

Forbes

It's fair to say this is a common occurrence.

Forbes

This is unlikely to be a common occurrence, however, as we only observed a single louse on a single female host over the entire duration of the study.

BMC Ecology

World countries where this is a common occurrence". people who were known as kind and caring of others.

Los Angeles Times

At the same time, the Ministry is well aware of this being a common occurrence.

Health Research Policy and Systems

This is a common occurrence with people who are so influenced by what others believe they should do in their careers that they become disconnected from themselves.

Forbes

Yes, this is a common occurrence, especially since people are discharged from the hospital sooner than in the past.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is this a common occurrence", ensure the context is clear. Specify the "this" to avoid ambiguity. For example: "The system crashes frequently. Is this a common occurrence with this model?"

Common error

While grammatically correct, "is this a common occurrence" can sound slightly informal. In very formal or academic writing, consider alternatives like "is this a frequent phenomenon" or "is this a typical situation" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is this a common occurrence" functions as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about the frequency or typicality of an event, situation, or phenomenon. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is this a common occurrence" serves as a grammatically sound and widely used method for inquiring about the frequency or typicality of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile across various domains, from news and science to academia, it maintains a generally neutral register. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives. With a strong presence in authoritative sources like Forbes and The Guardian, it's a reliable phrase for assessing the prevalence of a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is this a frequent event

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

does this happen often

Simplifies the question to a more direct inquiry about frequency.

is this a regular thing

Uses "regular thing" instead of "common occurrence", making it more informal.

is this the norm

Focuses on whether the event is typical or standard.

is this typical

A more concise way of asking if the event is usual.

is this standard practice

Inquires whether the event aligns with established procedures or customs.

is this widespread

Focuses on the extent or prevalence of the event.

is this prevalent

Similar to "widespread", but slightly more formal.

is this generally the case

Asks if the event is usually true or applicable.

is this to be expected

Inquires whether the event is anticipated or predictable.

FAQs

What does "is this a common occurrence" mean?

The phrase "is this a common occurrence" means asking whether something happens frequently or is generally observed. It inquires about the typicality or prevalence of an event, situation, or phenomenon.

How can I use "is this a common occurrence" in a sentence?

You can use "is this a common occurrence" to ask about the frequency of something. For example, "I've noticed more errors lately. Is this a common occurrence?"

What can I say instead of "is this a common occurrence"?

You can use alternatives like "does this happen often", "is this typical", or "is this a frequent event".

Is "is this a common occurrence" formal or informal?

The phrase "is this a common occurrence" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "is this a frequent phenomenon" or "is this a typical situation".