it commonly was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it commonly was" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or condition that was frequently the case in the past. Example: "In the early 20th century, it commonly was believed that the earth was flat."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For the ring sign, it commonly was around the aqueductus mesencephali, and showed slight homogeneous hyperintensity.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It commonly is present in serpentine and sometimes in phyllites, crystalline schists, and metamorphosed magnesian limestone.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On-demand isn't new and disruptive, as it has commonly been billed.

TechCrunch

It has commonly been associated with suicide and parental psychiatric illness.

BMC Psychiatry

It has commonly been used as a house-keeping reference gene/protein for expression analyses.

BMC Clinical Pathology

It can commonly be hooked to your internet router.

WikiHow

It leaks out, or more commonly it is choked back.

The Guardian - Film

Commonly, it is measured in terms of output per worker or output per hour worked.

The Guardian

Very commonly, it's that they can't ejaculate during penetrative sex.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And, commonly: it's not polite to pry.

Huffington Post

Perhaps most commonly, it is simply a matter of credibility.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it commonly was", ensure the context clearly indicates a past situation or belief. Providing specific time frames or conditions can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses within a sentence when using "it commonly was". Maintain a consistent past tense to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

It commonly was functions as an introductory phrase setting the stage for a description of a condition, belief, or practice that prevailed at a particular time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

20%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

12%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it commonly was" serves to introduce past conditions or beliefs, setting a historical context. While grammatically sound, as Ludwig AI confirms, it isn't frequently used in contemporary English, so consider alternatives like "it used to be" for a more modern tone. Be mindful of maintaining consistent past tenses when employing this phrase. It can be observed that the phrase appears in science, news & media and encyclopedia sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it used to be

Expresses a past habit or state that is no longer true.

it was generally

Indicates a widespread condition or belief in the past.

it was typically

Highlights the characteristic or usual nature of something in the past.

it was frequently

Emphasizes the high occurrence rate of an event or situation in the past.

it often was

Implies a regular, but not necessarily constant, occurrence in the past.

it would commonly be

Suggests a conditional or expected situation in the past.

it had been commonly

Indicates an action done or believed before another point in the past.

it was by and large

Emphasizes the action being more generally done than not.

as a rule it was

Highlights that things typically occurred in a particular way.

ordinarily it was

Highlights how something was done within the boundaries of what was normal or customary.

FAQs

How can I use "it commonly was" in a sentence?

Use "it commonly was" to describe a past situation or belief that was generally accepted or prevalent. For example: "In the past, "it commonly was" believed that the world was flat."

What are some alternatives to "it commonly was"?

Alternatives include "it used to be", "it was generally", or "it was typically". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it commonly was" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it commonly was" is grammatically correct, although it might sound somewhat formal or archaic. More common alternatives might be preferred in contemporary usage.

What's the difference between "it commonly was" and "it was common"?

"It commonly was" emphasizes the habitual or repeated nature of a situation or belief in the past, while "it was common" simply states that something was widespread or prevalent. The former suggests a pattern, while the latter indicates a state.