it is a common occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is a common occurrence" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that happens frequently or regularly. Example: "In this area, it is a common occurrence for deer to be seen crossing the road, so drivers must always be cautious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

For accordion makers in Castelfidardo, it is a common occurrence.

The New York Times

The surprise about the teenager's experience is not that it is exceptional, but that it is a common occurrence.

The Guardian

"It is a common occurrence to observe students who are physically present, yet mentally preoccupied by non course-related material on their mobile devices.

The Guardian

It is a common occurrence in Kenya, where young women have often excelled at the junior level, then disappeared into lives of domestic submission.

The New York Times - Sports

He says it is a common occurrence and that when there are no reporters around to open the door, he goes down the street and hangs out at the local pub until his girlfriend, an artist, returns.

The New York Times

However, if it is a common occurrence, that employee may start to feel that the supervisor has a lack of respect and empathy, and that they have a poor quality work relationship with that leader.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

It was a common occurrence with many guys".

The New York Times

It was a common occurrence yesterday that people asked that their last names be withheld.

The New York Times

"It's a common occurrence," Mr. Iovino said as he finished tuning No. K0862.

The New York Times

It's a common occurrence: A passenger is killed on the tracks pretty much every week.

The New York Times - Magazine

We wanted people to see that in these communities, even though it's a common occurrence, it's still devastating".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is a common occurrence" when you want to emphasize that something is not rare or unusual. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, providing clarity and familiarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive use of "it is a common occurrence" can make your writing sound stilted. In informal contexts, consider more concise alternatives like "it often happens" or "it's common".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is a common occurrence" functions as an impersonal construction used to introduce a statement about something that frequently happens. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is a common occurrence" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to indicate that something happens frequently. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples from reliable sources across various contexts, primarily News & Media and Scientific publications. While versatile, it's important to consider the formality of the context and choose more concise alternatives like "it frequently happens" or "it's commonplace" in informal settings. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound stilted, so mindful usage is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it frequently happens

Emphasizes the frequency of the event with a simpler structure.

it often takes place

Replaces "common occurrence" with a more active and direct expression.

it regularly occurs

Uses "regularly" to stress the consistent nature of the event.

it is a frequent event

Substitutes "occurrence" with the synonym "event", keeping the meaning nearly identical.

it's commonplace

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adjective that conveys the same meaning.

it's not unusual

Expresses the idea by negating the opposite: not rare or exceptional.

it's a familiar sight

Shifts the focus to the visual aspect of the common event.

it is typical

Uses a broader adjective to describe the commonality.

it is the norm

Indicates that the occurrence aligns with established standards or expectations.

it's standard practice

Highlights the aspect of established procedure or routine.

FAQs

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

You can use "it is a common occurrence" to introduce a statement about something that happens frequently. For example: "In this city, it is a common occurrence to see tourists taking pictures."

What are some alternatives to "it is a common occurrence"?

You can use alternatives like "it frequently happens", "it often takes place", or "it regularly occurs" depending on the context.

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

"It is a common occurrence" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. For more informal settings, you might prefer shorter phrases like "it's commonplace" or "it's not unusual".

What's the difference between "it is a common occurrence" and "it was a common occurrence"?

"It is a common occurrence" refers to something that currently happens frequently, while "it was a common occurrence" refers to something that happened frequently in the past.