most common uses

USAGE SUMMARY

"most common uses" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You could use it when you are referring to the different functions or purposes served by something. For example: "Exploring the most common uses of a calculator can help students understand basic math concepts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Battlefield systems and medical monitors are among the most common uses.

The New York Times - Tech

In fact, one of the most common uses of the phrase has little to do with speech at all.

The Guardian - Tech

In addition to its most common uses, juniper makes magic with rabbit, apples, eggs, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, apples, firm-fleshed fish, even lobster.

The New York Times - Magazine

In an interview at his office in San Francisco, Mr. Tolia showed a slide with a bar chart breaking down the most common uses for Nextdoor.

The New York Times

Among 100 people who responded to a survey for today's report, the most common uses were for petrol money for care staff, friends and family who offer lifts, or for taxi fares.

The Guardian

The most common uses of the term senior developer is to indicate either someone with a deep specialised knowledge beyond their peers or someone who leads or instructs other developers.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Its most common use is as an automotive antifreeze.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most difficult to master is the most common use of all, for the frozen cocktail.

The New York Times

The most common use is in a structure that was not a centerpiece of Mr. Wright's ouevre: parking garages.

The New York Times

The most common use of an audience, though, remains as sudden (and, generally, reluctant) participants in the action.

The Guardian

Perhaps the most common use is brick veneer on wood frame dwellings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure you are addressing the actual "most common uses", rather than potential or niche applications. Research your topic thoroughly to accurately reflect typical usage scenarios.

Common error

Avoid listing every possible use of something when you are discussing its "most common uses". Focus only on the primary and frequent applications to maintain clarity and relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most common uses" functions primarily as a noun phrase that often introduces a description or list of the typical applications or functions of something. As Ludwig AI states, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. It's used to specify the functions served by something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "most common uses" is a versatile and frequently employed term, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to introduce a discussion or list of the typical applications or functions associated with a subject. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to provide specific examples to enhance clarity and focus on the primary applications to avoid overgeneralization. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively communicate the intended meaning and usage of the discussed subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typical applications

Focuses on the application aspect, using 'typical' instead of 'most common'.

primary functions

Replaces 'uses' with 'functions', emphasizing the purpose.

predominant applications

Uses 'predominant' to convey the prevalence of certain applications.

usual purposes

Substitutes 'most common' with 'usual' and 'uses' with 'purposes'.

standard applications

Replaces 'most common' with 'standard' focusing on recognized or conventional usage.

frequent applications

Highlights the frequency of the applications.

commonest applications

Uses 'commonest' which is a less frequent synonym for 'most common'.

general applications

Focuses on broad applicability rather than prevalence.

popular applications

Emphasizes the popularity of certain uses.

typical ways of using

Uses a more descriptive structure to express the same concept.

FAQs

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

You can use "most common uses" to introduce a discussion about the typical applications or functions of something. For example, "The "most common uses of social media" include networking, sharing information, and marketing".

What are some alternatives to "most common uses"?

Some alternatives include "typical applications", "primary functions", or "standard applications", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "most common uses" or "most frequent uses"?

"Most common uses" and "most frequent uses" are very similar. "Most common uses" is generally preferred because it sounds more natural, but "most frequent uses" is also acceptable.

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

While similar, "most common uses" emphasizes prevalence, indicating that these are the uses that occur the most often. "Typical uses", on the other hand, suggests that these are representative or standard applications, although they may not necessarily be the absolute most frequent.