it was a common occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was a common occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or situation that happened frequently or regularly in the past. Example: "In the early days of the internet, it was a common occurrence for people to dial up their connections and wait for the modem to connect."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It was a common occurrence with many guys".

The New York Times

It was a common occurrence yesterday that people asked that their last names be withheld.

The New York Times

It was a common occurrence on a night when he ended up with more bruises than a rotten apple.

The New York Times - Sports

Also, even though the league has rules against officials asking for, or receiving, memorabilia such as autographed sneakers and shirts from players, one veteran player said it was a common occurrence.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a common occurrence for the engineer to suggest an idea for some modification in a part of the new product; he would then discuss his idea with the operator and ask her to try out the change to see how it worked.

Harvard Business Review

It was a common occurrence by the fourth quarter you [looked like] you were in a football game.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

For accordion makers in Castelfidardo, it is a common occurrence.

The New York Times

"It's a common occurrence," Mr. Iovino said as he finished tuning No. K0862.

The New York Times

It's a common occurrence: A passenger is killed on the tracks pretty much every week.

The New York Times - Magazine

We wanted people to see that in these communities, even though it's a common occurrence, it's still devastating".

The Guardian

The surprise about the teenager's experience is not that it is exceptional, but that it is a common occurrence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "it was commonplace" or "it frequently happened" for stylistic variation and to prevent overuse of the same phrase in your writing.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "it was a common occurrence" can sometimes sound slightly verbose. In highly formal writing, consider more concise alternatives like "it was typical" or "it was frequent" to maintain a streamlined tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was a common occurrence" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating the frequency of an event or situation in the past. It asserts that something happened regularly enough to be considered typical, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was a common occurrence" is a grammatically sound way to describe something that happened frequently in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, although simpler alternatives might be preferred for stylistic reasons, as reported in the guidance section. While it appears more frequently in News & Media and Science, its neutral tone makes it suitable for a broad range of writing styles. Remember to provide enough context to make the period you are referencing clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it frequently happened

This alternative uses a more direct verb to describe the frequency.

it was a frequent event

This option replaces "occurrence" with "event", making it slightly less formal.

it happened regularly

This alternative uses an adverb to emphasize the regularity of the event.

it was commonplace

This option is a more concise and slightly more formal way of expressing the same idea.

it was a usual thing

This uses simpler language, making it more informal.

it was the norm

This conveys that something was standard or typical.

it was typical

This is a short, direct way to communicate that something happened often.

it was habitual

This suggests that something was done out of habit.

it was often seen

This focuses on the observation of the event.

it was generally the case

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes the general state of affairs.

FAQs

What does "it was a common occurrence" mean?

The phrase "it was a common occurrence" means something happened frequently or regularly in the past. It indicates that an event or situation was not unusual or rare.

How can I use "it was a common occurrence" in a sentence?

You can use "it was a common occurrence" to describe past events. For example: "During the summer months, "power outages" it was a common occurrence due to the increased use of air conditioning."

What are some alternatives to "it was a common occurrence"?

Alternatives to "it was a common occurrence" include "it frequently happened", "it was typical", or "it was commonplace".

Is "it was a common occurrence" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was a common occurrence" is relatively neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, depending on the audience and writing style, a more concise alternative may be preferable.