it is not uncommon

USAGE SUMMARY

'it is not uncommon' is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is not particularly unusual as it happens quite frequently. For example, "It is not uncommon for children to be scared of the dark."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is not uncommon.

University of California, Berkeley

But it is not uncommon.

The New York Times

It is not uncommon Greek driving behavior.

The New York Times

It is not uncommon, but still troubling.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is not uncommon for black F.S.U.

The New York Times - Magazine

Yet it is not uncommon, either.

The New York Times

It is not uncommon as a negotiating tactic in general.

The New York Times

It is not uncommon for anger and resentment to surface.

The New York Times - Health

"It is not uncommon for me to receive such inquiries.

The New York Times

It is not uncommon for complete strangers to stage interventions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It is not uncommon or wrong to repeat modules.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is not uncommon" to introduce facts or situations that might seem surprising but are actually quite frequent. This can add a layer of intrigue to your writing and engage the reader.

Common error

While "it is not uncommon" is acceptable, avoid overuse of passive constructions. Instead, consider rephrasing to active voice for more direct and impactful sentences. For example, instead of "It is not uncommon for errors to occur", try "Errors frequently occur."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not uncommon" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by indicating the frequency or typicality of a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

33%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is not uncommon" is a versatile expression used to convey that a particular event or situation occurs with some frequency. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical structure is correct and perfectly acceptable. Analysis of usage data reveals that "it is not uncommon" is found predominantly in scientific publications, news articles, and academic papers but could also be used in formal business scenarios, displaying a level of register neutrality. While alternatives exist, the precise choice depends on the writer's intent to emphasize or de-emphasize the commonality of the event being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is fairly common

Replaces "not uncommon" with "fairly common" offering a slightly less formal tone.

it is quite common

Substitutes "not uncommon" with "quite common", emphasizing the frequency with a slightly stronger degree.

it is not unusual

Replaces "uncommon" with "unusual", maintaining similar meaning with a slight shift in word choice.

it is not rare

Uses "rare" as the opposite of common, maintaining a similar level of formality.

it is frequently observed

Changes the structure to a passive voice emphasizing observation and frequency.

it often happens

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct statement about the frequency of an occurrence.

it is a common occurrence

Nominalizes the phrase, focusing on the event as a common instance.

it is typical

Replaces the entire phrase with "it is typical", offering a more straightforward and succinct alternative.

it is regularly seen

Emphasizes visual confirmation of the event's frequency.

it's commonplace

Condenses the phrase into a single word, "commonplace", for a slightly more concise expression.

FAQs

How can I use "it is not uncommon" in a sentence?

You can use "it is not uncommon" to introduce a situation or event that occurs fairly frequently, often to highlight something that might seem surprising. For example, "It is not uncommon for students to feel stressed during exams".

What are some alternatives to "it is not uncommon"?

Alternatives include "it is fairly common", "it is quite common", or "it is not unusual". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it is not uncommon" or "it is common"?

Both are grammatically correct. "It is common" is more direct, while "it is not uncommon" can be used to introduce a fact that contradicts a common assumption, adding a bit of emphasis.

What's the difference between "it is not uncommon" and "it is rare"?

"It is not uncommon" suggests something happens with some frequency, while "it is rare" indicates something happens infrequently. They are near opposites in meaning.