more common than ever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more common than ever" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has become increasingly prevalent or frequent compared to previous times. Example: "With the rise of social media, online bullying has become more common than ever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

"Cosmetic surgery is much more common than ever before," Dr. Greenberg said.

The New York Times

But counterfeiting of computer software and movies on compact disks is now more common than ever.

The New York Times

That's one reason that job rotation is more common than ever as a development tool.

Harvard Business Review

Diabetes, a disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood, is more common than ever before.

Harvard University

Since the ruling, on April 3 , 1989 defense lawyers say such stops are more common than ever.

The New York Times

On the one hand, the trend makes sense; cyberattacks are becoming more common than ever as hackers become more adept at penetrating systems.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

"What has happened with society is that we're seeing multi-drug-resistant organisms that seem to be more common than they ever were before.

The Guardian

The cancer cells had one of two tiny changes that together were more common than any mutation ever found in the genes of melanoma.

The New York Times - Science

I believe that CIO-made CEOs are neither more nor less capable than any other CEO archetype, but it certainly is becoming more common than it has ever been before, and I think it will continue to increase in frequency.

Forbes

OCD is frequently exacerbated by postpartum hormones, and what I was feeling was so much more common than I had ever imagined.

Huffington Post

More common than prizes, how-ever, are offers to waive fees.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more common than ever" to emphasize a noticeable increase in frequency or prevalence over time. It adds weight to your observation.

Common error

Avoid using "more common than ever" when the context already implies increasing frequency. For instance, saying "the trend is becoming more common than ever" is redundant because 'becoming' already indicates a change over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more common than ever" functions as an intensifier in comparative statements. It highlights that a particular phenomenon, trend, or behavior has reached an unprecedented level of prevalence or frequency. As supported by Ludwig, the expression is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

25%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more common than ever" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize that something has reached an unprecedented level of prevalence. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, this phrase is best employed to highlight significant shifts or trends. When writing, avoid redundancy and ensure the context warrants the strong emphasis the phrase provides.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more prevalent than ever

Emphasizes the widespread existence of something, focusing on its pervasiveness.

more widespread than ever

Highlights the extent of something's distribution or reach.

increasingly common

Focuses on the ongoing trend of something becoming more frequent.

more frequent than ever before

Adds emphasis on the temporal aspect, highlighting the unprecedented frequency.

more routine than ever

Implies something has become a standard or expected occurrence.

more ordinary than ever

Suggests a shift towards normalcy or lack of exceptionality.

more typical than ever

Indicates a growing representation or conformity to a specific type or pattern.

more usual than ever

Similar to 'typical', but emphasizes the habitual or customary nature.

more standard than ever

Highlights the conformity to established norms or requirements.

more established than ever

Suggests increased acceptance and integration into existing systems or structures.

FAQs

How can I use "more common than ever" in a sentence?

You can use "more common than ever" to describe a trend, behavior, or phenomenon that has increased significantly in frequency or prevalence compared to the past. For example, "Working from home is "more common than ever" due to technological advancements".

What are some alternatives to "more common than ever"?

Alternatives include "more prevalent than ever", "increasingly common", or "more widespread than ever". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "more common than ever"?

Yes, "more common than ever" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English. It follows the standard comparative structure using 'more' with a comparative adjective ('common') and a temporal reference ('than ever').

What's the difference between "more common than ever" and "more common now"?

"More common than ever" implies a historical comparison, suggesting a peak in frequency compared to all previous times. "More common now" simply indicates that something is currently more frequent than it was in a recent past, without necessarily being at an all-time high.