it is common for

USAGE SUMMARY

'it is common for' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is usual or expected. For example, "It is common for people to feel overwhelmed when starting a new job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is common for relationships to develop during maths Olympiads.

The Guardian

So it is common for executives to hold those shares.

The New York Times

It is common for musical instruments to have symbolic significance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Apparently, it is common for them to make house calls.

The New York Times

"In Russia, it is common for poor and rich to live in the same building.

The New York Times

In Britain, it is common for the left to argue "austerity is a political choice".

The Guardian - Opinion

But in public schools, it is common for one principal to oversee 25 teachers.

The New York Times

In Italy, it is common for sentences to be reduced in two potential rounds of appeals.

The New York Times

It is common for Islamists to decry the recent legislation as "Suzanne's laws".

The New Yorker

Upon discovery of the illness, it is common for the diseased to scream and run away.

The New Yorker

It is common for parts of a patent application to be rejected.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is common for" to introduce general observations or trends, especially when providing context or background information. Be mindful of the tone and choose alternatives if a more formal or precise expression is needed.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where "it is common for" leads to a passive voice structure. Instead, consider rewriting the sentence to highlight the actor and make the statement more direct. For example, instead of "It is common for mistakes to be made", try "People commonly make mistakes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is common for" serves as an introductory expression to indicate that something is generally true or frequently occurs. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is perfectly correct and usable in written English. The phrase helps to set the stage for a broader observation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"It is common for" is a versatile phrase used to introduce general observations or trends. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad usability. While highly frequent in News & Media and Science contexts, it's essential to consider its formality and potential for creating passive voice constructions. Alternatives like "it is typical for" or "it is usual for" can offer subtle variations in meaning. The phrase serves as a valuable tool for setting context and making general statements, but careful attention should be paid to crafting clear and active sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is typical for

Replaces "common" with "typical", suggesting something that frequently occurs and is representative of a standard.

it is usual for

Substitutes "common" with "usual", indicating something that happens in the majority of cases.

it is normal for

Employs "normal" instead of "common", signifying something that aligns with the expected standard.

it is often the case that

Uses a more verbose structure to convey that something frequently happens or is true.

it frequently happens that

Replaces "is common for" with a more descriptive phrase emphasizing frequency of occurrence.

it is a general practice to

Focuses on established practices rather than general occurrences, applicable more to habitual behaviors.

it is widely known that

Shifts the focus to public knowledge of a common occurrence or fact.

it is to be expected that

Highlights anticipation rather than frequency, implying a sense of predictability.

it is not unusual for

Uses a double negative to express the commonality indirectly, softening the statement.

it's characteristic of

Emphasizes the traits or qualities typical of something, rather than its commonality across instances.

FAQs

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

You can use "it is common for" to introduce a general trend or observation. For example, "It is common for people to feel nervous before a job interview."

What are some alternatives to "it is common for"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it is typical for", "it is usual for", or "it is normal for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a more formal way to say "it is common for"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "it is often the case that" or "it is a general practice to". These phrases are suitable for academic or professional writing.

When should I avoid using "it is common for"?

Avoid using "it is common for" when you want to emphasize specific instances rather than general trends, or when a more direct and active voice would be more impactful. In such cases, consider rephrasing to highlight the actor.