it is a common question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is a common question" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a question that many people tend to ask or inquire about. Example: "In discussions about climate change, it is a common question to ask how individual actions can make a difference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"If he was involved in Abacus, how is he supposed to police it?" It is a common question as the government increasingly looks to fill its ranks with regulatory officials proficient in the language of Wall Street.

The New York Times

For instance, if a registered voter recently moved from one place within the city to another, "do they vote at the poll site for their old address or for their new address?" Given that New York City is a place of ever-mobile apartment dwellers, it is a common question.

The New York Times

It is a common question that many of us in the world of science have faced at some point.

Science Magazine

Furthermore, it is a common question to be asked by patients and relatives in clinic.

Brain

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It's a common question to comedy writers.

The New York Times

It's a common question, but it does get more frequent when the Dow is in the news for crossing some barrier, like reaching 13,000.

The New York Times

It's a common question here [in the U.S.]; it's an even more common question outside of this country, where many non-Americans who admire our country are baffled by what they see as a dysfunctional political process.

Huffington Post

It's a common question most parents face at one point or another, so here's some information that may be helpful.

Huffington Post

Because it was a common question from multiple reviewers and you did the work of the analysis, please add a brief mention it in the manuscript.

eLife

How will I know?" This is a common question I get and it nearly always comes from someone who is self-prescribing.

Huffington Post

MICHAEL SPECTER: I have a feeling this is a common question.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is a common question" when you want to acknowledge that a question is frequently asked or considered in a particular context. This can help frame your response or explanation in a way that acknowledges the audience's potential familiarity with the topic.

Common error

While useful, avoid starting multiple sentences or paragraphs with "it is a common question". This can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing the idea.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is a common question" functions as an introductory clause. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. It serves to introduce a question that is frequently asked or considered within a specific context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Science & Research

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is a common question" is a grammatically correct and frequently used introductory clause that signals the prevalence of a specific inquiry. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is found across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Science. To avoid repetition, synonyms like "it's a frequently asked question" or "it's a typical question" can be used. When employing this phrase, remember that it introduces a question that's genuinely common, setting up your response to address a well-known point of interest. Ludwig examples show its application in framing answers to widespread concerns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's a frequently asked question

Replaces "common" with "frequently asked", emphasizing the frequency of the question.

it is a question that is often asked

Rephrases the sentence to highlight that the question is asked often.

it's a typical question

Substitutes "common" with "typical", suggesting the question is representative or standard.

it is a recurring inquiry

Uses "recurring inquiry" to convey that the question appears repeatedly.

it is a regularly posed question

Emphasizes the regular occurrence of the question being asked.

it is a question that comes up often

Uses a more colloquial expression to indicate the frequency of the question.

it's a usual inquiry

Similar to "typical", but uses "usual" to imply the question is commonplace.

the question is commonly asked

Changes the sentence structure while maintaining the core meaning.

people often ask this question

Shifts the focus to the people asking the question, emphasizing its popularity.

this question is often brought up

Indicates the question is frequently raised or introduced in discussions.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "it is a common question"?

You can use alternatives like "it's a frequently asked question", "it's a typical question", or "it is a recurring inquiry" depending on the context.

How do I use "it is a common question" in a sentence?

You can introduce a topic or issue by stating that "it is a common question" to acknowledge its prevalence before providing an answer or explanation. For example, "It is a common question whether individual actions can impact climate change."

When is it appropriate to use "it is a common question"?

Use this phrase when you genuinely believe many people are likely to ask or think about the question. It's suitable in informational articles, explanations, or when addressing concerns in a presentation or speech. Avoid using it if the question is highly specific or unlikely to be on most people's minds.

What's the difference between "it is a common question" and "people often ask this question"?

"It is a common question" is more impersonal and focuses on the question's prevalence. "People often ask this question" is more direct and emphasizes that many people are specifically posing the question. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the question itself or the act of people asking it.