not common for

USAGE SUMMARY

"not common for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is not typical or usual for a specific person, group, or situation. Here are some examples: 1. It is not common for children to have so much responsibility at such a young age. 2. It is not common for a CEO to be so involved in the day-to-day operations of a company. 3. It is not common for this neighborhood to experience such high crime rates. 4. It is not common for my grandmother to use a computer, but she has surprised us all by learning how to use social media. 5. It is not common for someone to switch careers in their late 40s, but I did and I couldn't be happier.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not common for universities to look for this material".

The New Yorker

One imagines many Tories feel this way, but it's not common for people to say it.

The Guardian

But it's not common for so many to get sick so fast".

The New York Times

Experts say the phrasing of the inscription is not common for the early 17th century.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's not common for us to be so shaky," the Macedonian international said.

The Guardian - Sport

It's not common for somebody who is not Japanese to have this feeling of obligation".

The New Yorker

No matter what the result, he always speaks well, which is not common for footballers.

The Guardian - Sport

As we all know, these abilities are not common for our species.

The New York Times

He acknowledged that it was not common for an entire administrative team to leave with the moderator.

The New York Times

It's not common for a woman on television, especially if she's the mom of the family, to be funny.

The New York Times

"He just has such an exuberance and joy about him, and that's not common for architects," he added.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not common for", ensure you specify the context or group for which it is uncommon. This clarifies the comparison and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "not common for" without specifying a reference point. Saying "It's not common for" is vague; instead, state what it's not common for, such as "It's "not common for" this species to exhibit such behavior."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not common for" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something is atypical or infrequent within a specific context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression. Examples from Ludwig show its usage across various subjects, specifying what is not typical.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not common for" is a versatile phrase used to express that something is atypical or infrequent within a defined context. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various fields. Its frequency is categorized as "very common", appearing primarily in "News & Media" and "Science" sources. When using "not common for", it's best to specify the reference group or context for clarity. Alternatives like "unusual for" or "atypical for" can be used to add variety. Remember to avoid overgeneralization by clearly stating what the phrase is referring to. With its widespread use and clear meaning, "not common for" is a valuable tool for expressing deviations from the norm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not typical for

Directly replaces "common" with "typical", maintaining the original meaning.

unusual for

Replaces "not common" with "unusual", emphasizing the rarity or infrequency.

atypical for

Substitutes "not common" with "atypical", suggesting a deviation from the norm.

rare for

Replaces "not common" with "rare", highlighting the scarcity of the occurrence.

infrequent for

Similar to "rare for" but emphasizes the low frequency of something.

unheard of for

Indicates that something is very rare or surprising, almost never happening.

out of the ordinary for

Emphasizes that something deviates from what is typically expected.

deviant for

Suggests a more pronounced departure from the expected behavior or pattern.

exceptional for

Highlights that something is an exception to the general rule.

anomalous for

Indicates that something is inconsistent with the normal order.

FAQs

How can I use "not common for" in a sentence?

Use "not common for" to describe something that is atypical or unusual within a specific context. For example, "It's "not common for" a student to master calculus before high school" indicates that this level of mathematical proficiency is rare among students.

What can I say instead of "not common for"?

You can use alternatives like "unusual for", "atypical for", or "rare for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "not common for" or "uncommon for"?

Both "not common for" and "uncommon for" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, although "uncommon for" might be slightly more concise.

What's the difference between "not common for" and "rarely"?

"Not common for" describes something atypical within a specified group or context, whereas "rarely" describes the frequency of an event. For example, "Frugality is "not common for" millionaires", but millionaires "rarely" discuss their financial situations in public.