most commonly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most commonly" is both grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to refer to something that is generally accepted or considered to be the regular or typical circumstance. For example: Most commonly, people eat breakfast in the morning.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The most commonly cited cause?

The New York Times

This is the most commonly used projection.

The Economist

Kidneys are the most commonly transplanted organs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It most commonly occurs in the heart.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Toxins, most commonly alcohol, can do it.

The New York Times

The gas most commonly employed is air.

Encyclopedia Britannica

What did they most commonly disagree about?

The Guardian

The most commonly overlooked item?

The Washington Post

Most commonly, they leaf feed.

Cornell University

What reasons are most commonly given?

The New York Times

It happens most commonly in conversation.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "most commonly", ensure the context clearly defines the scope of comparison. For example, specify "most commonly used method in this industry" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "most commonly" without sufficient evidence or data to support the claim. Vague assertions can weaken your argument. Provide context, data, or examples to make it more credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most commonly" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier. It serves to specify that a particular action, state, or characteristic is observed more frequently than others within a given context. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

28%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "most commonly" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to denote the highest frequency of occurrence across various contexts. Grammatically correct and widely accepted, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to inform readers about prevalence. It is most frequently found in news, science, and wiki-based sources. To ensure clarity, it's best to specify the scope of comparison when using the phrase. Alternatives include "most frequently", "primarily", and "typically". Remember to support the claim with evidence to strengthen your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most frequently

Replaces "commonly" with "frequently", emphasizing the number of occurrences.

most often

Uses "often" instead of "commonly", suggesting a high rate of occurrence.

predominantly

Indicates that something is the main or strongest element or characteristic.

primarily

Highlights the main or principal aspect of something.

mainly

Indicates that something is the principal part or feature.

typically

Focuses on what usually happens or is characteristic.

generally

Indicates a wide or common occurrence or application.

in most cases

Specifies that something is true or happens in the majority of situations.

as a rule

Expresses a general principle or tendency.

more often than not

Emphasizes that something happens more times than it does not.

FAQs

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

Use "most commonly" to indicate the most frequent occurrence or practice. For example, "The "most commonly used method" is X."

What are some alternatives to "most commonly"?

You can use alternatives such as "most frequently", "primarily", or "typically" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "most common" or "most commonly"?

"Most common" is an adjective phrase used to describe a noun (e.g., "the most common type"), while "most commonly" is an adverbial phrase used to modify a verb or adjective (e.g., "is most commonly used").

What is the difference between "commonly" and "most commonly"?

"Commonly" indicates something that occurs frequently, while "most commonly" specifies that it occurs more frequently than other alternatives. Therefore, "most commonly" implies a comparison.