it seems commonplace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems commonplace" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something appears to be ordinary or typical in a given context. Example: "In today's society, it seems commonplace for people to rely on technology for everyday tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Now it seems commonplace.

Independent

While the evidence for the correlation between music and maths is still in debate, it seems commonplace for those with musical talent to have mathematical abilities too.

The Guardian

"It seems commonplace in Illinois these days that police officers are just expected to be the victims of serious assaults and batteries placed upon them as part of their 'job'job

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Instead of the single scale factor used in the Sagan Walk, "Powers of Ten" uses a continuous zoom — a visualization technique that seems commonplace today, but which blew the minds of its audience in 1968.

The New York Times

Such reserved behavior seems commonplace among airline passengers.

The New York Times

For them, the act of writing and hashing out your ideas seems commonplace.

The New York Times - Books

When one is young, the mere fact of marriage, having children, buying a house seems commonplace.

The New York Times

This notion of artistic evolution by the displacement of decorums, once so controversial, now seems commonplace — itself an ironic demonstration of the principle.

The New Yorker

From 1959 to 1962 he was a music teacher at Cirencester grammar school, involving all the pupils in the school in performances of challenging music, some of which he wrote himself (this seems commonplace now, but at a time when children were supposed to listen and not be heard, it was revolutionary).

The Guardian - Music

Brutal hazing seems commonplace, such as the accusation that residents of St John's college at the University of Sydney locked first year students in bathrooms at the college and dumped vats of dead fish on them.

Vice

"I think that if you tell most teenagers that a character is gay or lesbian, it doesn't seem scintillating to them – it seems totally commonplace.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems commonplace" to indicate that something, often surprising or novel in the past, has become ordinary or expected. For a stronger impact, contrast this ordinariness with how things were previously.

Common error

Avoid using "it seems commonplace" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound monotonous. Opt for synonyms or rephrase your sentences to introduce variety and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems commonplace" functions as an adverbial phrase providing a subjective commentary on the state of affairs. Examples in Ludwig show it describing a shift in perception regarding what is considered ordinary or expected. Ludwig AI indicates it follows standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seems commonplace" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express that something now appears ordinary or expected. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase adheres to standard English grammar. While not extremely frequent, it is commonly found in news and media sources, reflecting its use in commenting on societal shifts and changes in perception. It is best used to highlight a contrast between past novelty and present ordinariness, but should not be overused to maintain writing variety. Consider alternatives such as ""it appears typical"" depending on the specific context. The examples in Ludwig demonstrate its versatility in describing evolving trends and practices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears typical

Replaces "seems" with "appears" and "commonplace" with "typical" for a slightly more formal tone.

it is nothing out of the ordinary

Emphasizes the lack of exceptional quality or surprise.

it is fairly standard

Highlights the conformity to a norm or expectation.

it has become the norm

Focuses on the establishment of a practice as the prevailing standard.

it is considered normal

Focuses on societal perception.

it's widely accepted

Emphasizes acceptance rather than frequency.

it is generally recognised

Highlights that something is know or accepted by a lot of people.

it is now expected

Shifts the focus to anticipation and anticipation.

it's par for the course

An idiom indicating something is typical, especially of something negative or undesirable.

it's run-of-the-mill

An idiom implying something is ordinary and not special.

FAQs

What does "it seems commonplace" mean?

The phrase "it seems commonplace" suggests that something now appears ordinary, usual, or unremarkable, often in contrast to a time when it was novel or surprising.

How can I use "it seems commonplace" in a sentence?

You can use "it seems commonplace" to describe practices, technologies, or events that have become typical or expected. For example: "Now, "it appears typical" for people to communicate via smartphones, but this was not always the case".

Which is correct, "it seems commonplace" or "it is commonplace"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "It is commonplace" states a fact, while "it seems commonplace" implies an observation or perception that something has become ordinary.

What are some alternatives to "it seems commonplace"?

Alternatives to "it seems commonplace" include "it appears typical", "it is nothing out of the ordinary", or "it is fairly standard". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.