it was so common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was so common" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that frequently occurs or is widely accepted in a particular context. Example: "In the early 2000s, it was so common for people to use flip phones that smartphones seemed like a distant dream."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It was so common.

The New York Times

It was so common to see players from other teams watching her, looking for her, while they warmed up".

The New York Times - Sports

The fact that there is mixed heritage involved will not be a great surprise to many as it was so common between masters and slaves".

The Guardian

I said I found it hard to believe I'd never heard this expression if it was so common, and he said women just don't notice it.

The New York Times

"Before, it was so common in stores and bars," said a man who shut down his bar about 18 months ago and is now delivering liquor.

The New York Times

She has spent years trying to understand why they failed to react and has come to the conclusion that it was so common, they didn't think there was anything to be done.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

But I wonder whether yoga has lost most, if not all, of its weirdness factor because it is so common.

Harvard University

It's so common that it has its own moniker: "Friendsgiving".

The Guardian - Opinion

In fact, it is so common that it has its own term (first coined by British economist Richard Auty): the Resource Curse.

Vice

It's so common that it even has its own name – schwa.

BBC

And it's so common today.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was so common" to emphasize the pervasiveness or frequency of a phenomenon, practice, or belief in a specific time or context. It's particularly effective when highlighting a contrast with current norms or expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "it was so common" without providing specific context or examples. Without context, the phrase can sound vague and lack impact. Always provide details that illustrate the extent or nature of what was considered common.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was so common" functions as a descriptive statement, characterizing something as frequent or prevalent in a particular context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It describes a state or condition that prevailed at some time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was so common" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something that was prevalent or typical in a specific context. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various domains, including news, media, and academia, although it is particularly prominent in journalistic contexts. The phrase serves to convey the frequency or typicality of a practice, belief, or occurrence, often contrasting past norms with present expectations. While generally neutral in formality, it's important to provide specific context to enhance clarity and impact. Alternatives like "it was very typical" or "it was quite prevalent" can be used for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was extremely prevalent

Replaces "common" with a stronger synonym, emphasizing widespread occurrence.

it was quite widespread

Similar to "common" but emphasizes the extent of something's presence.

it was a frequent occurrence

Shifts from describing something as "common" to highlighting the repetition of an event.

it was a regular thing

Emphasizes the habitual or routine aspect of something.

it was a typical situation

Focuses on the normalcy or expected nature of a scenario.

it was virtually ubiquitous

Uses a more formal term, "ubiquitous", to suggest near-universal presence.

it was the order of the day

Suggests something was standard practice or the prevailing trend.

it was broadly accepted

Shifts the focus to the widespread acceptance or approval of something.

it was a dime a dozen

An idiomatic expression indicating something is very common and easily found.

it was all the rage

Indicates that something was very popular or fashionable at a particular time.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was so common" to describe something that happened frequently or was widely accepted in the past. For example, "Back in the 1970s, "it was so common" for families to gather around the television to watch their favorite shows".

What can I say instead of "it was so common"?

You can use alternatives like "it was very typical", "it was quite prevalent", or "it was widespread" depending on the context.

Is "it was so common" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was so common" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure, with "it" as the subject, "was" as the verb, and "so common" as the predicate adjective.

How formal is the phrase "it was so common"?

The phrase "it was so common" is generally considered neutral in formality. It can be used in both informal and formal contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in academic or professional writing.