it was common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was common" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that was frequently encountered or widely accepted in a particular context or time period. Example: "In the early 2000s, it was common for people to use flip phones instead of smartphones."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was common virtue.

The New York Times - Books

So what if it was common?

The New York Times

In 1599, it was common knowledge.

The Guardian

It was common sense, he said.

The New York Times

By the 80s it was common.

The Guardian - Sport

"It was common to see him pacing around the. . .

The Washington Post

It was common or garden thieving, robbing and looting.

The Guardian

It was common in world war two victory gardens.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was common street slang in the 1960's.

The New York Times - Magazine

In Malta, it was common to obtain a goat.

The Guardian

For me, a lot of it was common sense.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was common" to effectively describe past practices, beliefs, or occurrences that were widespread or typical within a particular context. For example, "In the 1950s, "it was common" for families to own only one car."

Common error

Avoid using "it was common" without providing a specific time frame, location, or group. Saying "It was common" without context can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. Instead, specify when and where something was common, such as "During the Victorian era, it was common to use elaborate mourning jewelry."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was common" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying an implied noun (event, practice, belief). It characterizes something as typical, frequent, or generally accepted within a given context. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

18%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was common" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating that something was typical or prevalent in a specific context or time. As supported by Ludwig, it appears most often in news media, encyclopedias, and scientific sources. When employing this phrase, ensure to provide sufficient context regarding time, location, or specific group to avoid overgeneralization. Consider alternatives like "it was typical" or "it was prevalent" for slight variations in emphasis. The phrase functions as an adjective phrase, used to describe past states, practices or beliefs. Overall, "it was common" is a valuable tool for effectively describing historical or cultural norms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was typical

Replaces "common" with "typical", emphasizing the usual or expected nature of something.

it was usual

Substituting "common" with "usual" focuses on the habitual or customary aspect.

it was prevalent

Implies something was widespread or dominant in a specific area or time.

it was commonplace

Emphasizes the ordinariness and lack of surprise associated with something.

it was the norm

This emphasizes that something aligned with established standards or accepted behavior.

it was standard practice

Highlights that something was an established and accepted procedure or method.

it was generally accepted

Focuses on widespread agreement or approval of something.

it was widely known

Emphasizes that information or a fact was familiar to many people.

it was frequently observed

Highlights the repeated or regular occurrence of something.

it was a regular occurrence

Focuses on the consistent and predictable nature of an event or situation.

FAQs

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

Use "it was common" to describe something that occurred frequently or was widely accepted in a particular time or place. For example, "In the past, "it was common" for families to gather around the radio for entertainment".

What's a more formal way to say "it was common"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "it was typical", "it was prevalent", or "it was standard practice" depending on the context.

Are there synonyms for "it was common" that emphasize frequency?

Yes, alternatives like "it was frequently observed" or "it was a regular occurrence" highlight the repeated nature of something.

How does "it was common" differ from "it was known"?

"It was common" suggests something occurred frequently or was widely practiced, while "it was known" implies information was generally understood or recognized. For example, "It was common to travel by horse", versus "it was widely known that the earth was round".