may be common to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be common to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is likely to be shared or experienced by a particular group or in a specific context. Example: "These symptoms may be common to individuals suffering from anxiety disorders."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In certain cases, a CI‑M subject may be common to two departments.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The OA mechanisms that we find for anatase may be common to other aqueous metal-oxide systems.

Chemical Engineering Science

These issues may be common to many Indian women, but Ms. Esteves said they were amplified for lesbians.

The New York Times

Secondly, shared interdisciplinary research practices can be identified that may be common to other programmes and support interaction and shared understanding between different researchers.

Research Policy

The similarity to at least one solar event (the Bastille Day flare in 2000) indicates that this pattern may be common to solar and stellar flares.

Advances in Space Research

This is because many mixtures contain all three colours in varying ratios, just as one note may be common to several chords in a musical progression.

The Guardian - Arts

Thus, although the seven questions may be common to each, the subsequent review processes can range markedly in their scope, complexity and cost.

Harvard University

Despite the diversity of possible biochemical networks, it may be common to find that only a finite set of core topologies can execute a particular function.

Cell

"The idea of the world may be common to all societies; but different societies have very distinct ideas of the world and how it should be represented".

The Economist

"The idea of the world may be common to all societies, but different societies have very distinct ideas of the world and how it should be represented," he writes.

The Guardian

"Romantic obsession may be common to both shows," Billington observes, "but where one may feel sympathy for a doomed outsider, it is hard to feel much for an omnipotent impresario".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may be common to", ensure that the subjects being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify whether you're referring to symptoms common to diseases or features common to different cultures.

Common error

Avoid using "may be common to" when referring to traits that are actually universal. This phrase implies a degree of selectivity, so ensure that the characteristic isn't present in all cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be common to" functions as a qualifier, suggesting a potential similarity or shared attribute among different entities. It introduces a degree of uncertainty, indicating that the characteristic is not necessarily universal but potentially present across multiple cases. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

Academia

17%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may be common to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a potential or probable similarity between different entities. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most prevalent in scientific and academic contexts, serving to introduce a cautious assertion of shared characteristics. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid overgeneralization. Consider alternatives like "might be typical of" or "could be characteristic of" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might be typical of

Changes the verb from "common" to "typical" to imply representativeness.

could be characteristic of

Substitutes "common" with "characteristic", emphasizing distinguishing traits.

might be shared by

Replaces "common to" with "shared by", focusing on shared possession or experience.

could be prevalent in

Replaces "common to" with "prevalent in", emphasizing widespread existence.

might be found across

Indicates widespread occurrence, but differs from the query focusing on existence rather than shared traits.

can be generally observed in

Emphasizes observation across different instances, focusing on perception.

tends to occur among

Suggests a tendency rather than a certainty, shifting the nuance.

often manifests in

Highlights manifestation across instances, altering the focus.

is frequently encountered in

Emphasizes common encounters in different settings, shifting perspective.

is widely distributed among

Focuses on distribution among a group, moving away from shared attributes.

FAQs

How do I use "may be common to" in a sentence?

Use "may be common to" to indicate that certain characteristics, features, or symptoms are shared between two or more entities. For example: "These side effects "may be common to" both medications."

What can I say instead of "may be common to"?

You can use alternatives like "might be typical of", "could be characteristic of", or "might be shared by" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "may be common to" or "is common to"?

"May be common to" indicates a possibility or probability, while "is common to" states a fact. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the certainty of the shared characteristic.

What's the difference between "may be common to" and "unique to"?

"May be common to" suggests a shared trait among multiple entities, while "unique to" indicates a trait exclusive to one entity. They are opposite in meaning.