most common

USAGE SUMMARY

"most common" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is very widespread and seen or used often. For example, "The most common type of tree in this area is the maple tree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most common was Atrazine.

The New York Times

& up, are the most common.

The New Yorker

Which is the most common?

The New Yorker

The most common in usage?

The New York Times

The most common affects infants.

The New York Times

The next most common word?

The New York Times

Most common emergency: Stoppages.

The New York Times

Our most common feature?

Princeton University

The most common explanation?

The Guardian

Two methods are most common.

Chemical Engineering Science

This is the most common hypercorrection error.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "most common", ensure that you specify the context or category you are referring to. For example, instead of saying "Headaches are most common", say "Headaches are the most common symptom of a cold".

Common error

Avoid using "most common" without providing sufficient context. Saying something is "most common" without specifying where or when can lead to misunderstanding and misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most common" functions as a superlative adjective modifying a noun. It indicates that the noun it modifies occurs more frequently than any other of its kind. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this, confirming its adjectival role in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

30%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "most common" is a grammatically sound and widely used superlative adjective that serves to identify the most frequent occurrence within a given context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for diverse registers ranging from formal academic writing to informal communication. Its prevalence in news, media, and scientific sources underscores its broad applicability and understanding. When employing this phrase, remember to supply sufficient context to avoid ambiguity and guarantee clarity in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most frequent

This alternative focuses on the frequency of occurrence, similar to "most common" but with a slightly more statistical connotation.

most typical

This alternative emphasizes the representativeness of something, rather than just its frequency.

most prevalent

This alternative highlights the widespread nature of something, suggesting it's extensively found.

most widespread

Similar to "most prevalent", this option stresses the broad distribution of something.

most usual

This phrase denotes what is normally expected or observed, offering a slightly less formal tone.

predominant

This alternative emphasizes the dominance or superior influence of something.

majority

While "majority" refers to more than half, it can sometimes be used interchangeably with "most common" when discussing prevalence.

chief

This alternative refers to the primary or leading element, not strictly frequency but related in importance.

primary

Denotes the main or principal aspect, similar to "chief" but slightly less emphatic.

standard

Implies something that serves as a norm or benchmark, related to commonality in terms of expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "most common" in a sentence?

You can use "most common" to describe the most frequent occurrence or characteristic within a specific context. For example, "The "most common reason" for canceling the test was marijuana use" or "Headache is the "most common symptom" of MTBI".

What are some alternatives to "most common"?

Alternatives to "most common" include "most frequent", "most typical", or "most prevalent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to provide context when using "most common"?

Yes, providing context clarifies what you are referring to and avoids ambiguity. For instance, specify "the "most common type" of error" or "the "most common cause" of delays" to ensure clarity.

What's the difference between "most common" and "typical"?

"Most common" refers to the highest frequency of occurrence, while "typical" describes something that is representative or characteristic. While they can be used interchangeably in some contexts, "most common" emphasizes quantity, whereas "typical" emphasizes representation. The "most typical" behavior isn't necessarily the "most common behavior".