it is a common thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is a common thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is widespread or commonly experienced. Example: "It is a common thing for people to feel nervous before a job interview."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Mr. Murdoch responded by apologizing for the behavior of some journalists but added that "it is a common thing in life to say I'll scratch your back if you scratch my back".

The New York Times

Moreover, "in periods of stress it is a common thing for animals to change their habitats and usually this change involves migration".

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is a common thing to leave sinks unscrubbed, to stock too much or not enough, to be oblivious of jumbled electrical cords and all the rest.

The New York Times - Magazine

It seemed to work out a little too perfectly to further that curiosity, but I guess I can understand and see some of the truth in it -- it is a common thing for women of various sexualities to confuse and/or stifle same-sex feelings within a close friendship.

Huffington Post

If it is a common thing for mothers who have delivered, then they [support persons] will tell you so.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Because in my world, the artist's world, it's a common thing.

The New Yorker

It's a common thing with comedians, and we tend to be very empathetic towards one another.

Independent

"It's a common thing for sports," said Rebecca Friedman, a sophomore who is on the field hockey, ski and soccer teams at Fox Lane High School in Bedford.

The New York Times

It was a common thing in those days because, of course, no one would ever leave their house without having eaten their first breakfast.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It's a common thing," says Balvinder Kaur Saund, a Labour councillor for the London Borough of Redbridge and chair of the Sikh Women's Alliance, "to walk through an estate in [some parts of east London] and young boys throw stones and shout 'Taliban' at you.

The Guardian

It's a common thing; most contracts having something along those lines tucked away inside.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is a common thing" to emphasize that something is not unusual or surprising. This helps set expectations or normalize situations for your audience.

Common error

While "it is a common thing" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. In formal contexts, consider more sophisticated synonyms such as "it is a widespread practice" or "it is a frequent occurrence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is a common thing" functions as an introductory phrase used to present a statement of fact, indicating that something is typical, frequent, or widely observed. As shown in Ludwig, it serves to normalize or contextualize the subsequent information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is a common thing" is a phrase used to denote that something is typical or frequently observed. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, its neutral register allows for use in various settings, though more formal synonyms might be preferred in academic or scientific writing. Keep in mind that it can be replaced by other semantically similar alternatives such as "it is a frequent occurrence" or "it is a widespread practice" to prevent overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is a frequent occurrence

Replaces 'common thing' with 'frequent occurrence', emphasizing the regularity of the event.

it is a widespread practice

Substitutes 'common thing' with 'widespread practice', focusing on actions or customs.

it is a typical situation

Replaces 'common thing' with 'typical situation', highlighting the normalcy of the scenario.

it is a regular phenomenon

Changes 'common thing' to 'regular phenomenon', stressing the observable nature of the event.

it's a usual state of affairs

Rephrases to 'usual state of affairs', indicating that something is the normal condition.

it's a standard procedure

Replaces 'common thing' with 'standard procedure', focusing on established methods or routines.

it's a prevailing trend

Changes 'common thing' to 'prevailing trend', suggesting a current widespread fashion or direction.

it is generally accepted

Focuses on the widespread agreement or approval of something, replacing 'common thing'.

it's a matter of course

Indicates that something is expected and normal, replacing 'common thing'.

it's part of the norm

Replaces 'common thing' with 'part of the norm', highlighting that something is typical and expected within a specific context.

FAQs

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

You can use "it is a common thing" to describe something that happens frequently or is widely observed. For example, "It is a common thing for students to feel stressed during exams."

What phrases are similar to "it is a common thing"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it is a frequent occurrence", "it is a widespread practice", or "it is a typical situation".

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

"It is a common thing" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more sophisticated phrasing might be preferred in highly formal writing.

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

"It is a common thing" refers to something that is currently common, while "it was a common thing" refers to something that used to be common but might not be anymore.