out of common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of common" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a misinterpretation of the phrase "out of the ordinary" or "out of common usage." Example: "His behavior was out of the ordinary for someone so reserved."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

It made abolitionists out of common people who disdained organized abolitionism.

The New York Times - Books

Formed more out of common ambition than fraternal bonding, the Byrds were racked by dissent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It adds humour and the artists have a lot more fun trying to build everything out of common objects".

The Guardian - Tech

This prompts Carla to consider her "another of those thinkers whose intellect rises out of common experiences".

The New York Times - Books

Steam trains fell out of common use in America in the 1950s and in Britain a few years later.

The Economist

This necessary joint working out of common policies or responses to proposals by cabinet ministers may be fairly informal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Seek out points of common ground.

Huffington Post

In the latter, two maps are aligned together to figure out regions of common and individual evolution histories.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Exclusion radicalizes those who feel left out of the common communal space.

Huffington Post

What you take out of a commons has to be proportional to what you put in.

The Economist

called out "opponents of common-sense gun safety". .

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing shared motivations or origins, use phrases like "from common interest" or "based on common values" instead of "out of common".

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "out of common" with similar-sounding but correct phrases such as "out of the ordinary" or "out of common usage". Ensure the phrase accurately reflects your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of common", while present in various sources, does not function as a standard grammatical unit in English. It appears in contexts where other prepositional phrases like ""out of common decency"" or adjectives like "uncommon" would be more appropriate. Ludwig AI flags this phrase as potentially incorrect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

29%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "out of common" appears in various contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI identifies it as a potential error. Alternative phrases such as "uncommon", "unusual", or "out of the ordinary" are more appropriate depending on the intended meaning. Be mindful of potential confusion with similar-sounding phrases like "out of common usage" or the correct phrase ""out of common decency"". Although present in news, scientific, and wiki sources, its use is discouraged in formal writing to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy. Choose the right alternative in order to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of the ordinary

Replaces "common" with "ordinary" to indicate something unusual or exceptional.

uncommon

A single-word adjective directly expressing that something is not frequently found or experienced.

out of common usage

Specifically refers to something no longer frequently used, typically in the context of language or practices.

based on shared

Indicates that something arises from elements that are held jointly or identically by multiple parties.

from common ground

Implies an origin in mutually agreed upon principles or interests.

out of common decency

Emphasizes that an action is motivated by a basic standard of respect and consideration for others.

out of common interest

Highlights that something is driven by shared concerns or passions.

from a common perspective

Indicates that a view or understanding stems from similar viewpoints or backgrounds.

from common roots

Suggests an origin or development from shared ancestry or foundational elements.

arising from common values

Specifies that something results from a set of principles or beliefs that are widely held and esteemed.

FAQs

Is "out of common" grammatically correct?

No, "out of common" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's often a misinterpretation of phrases like "out of the ordinary" or "out of common usage".

What can I say instead of "out of common"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "uncommon", "unusual", "exceptional", or "out of the ordinary".

How can I use "out of common decency" correctly?

"Out of common decency" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It describes actions motivated by basic respect and consideration for others. For example: "I helped him "out of common decency"." Be careful to use this complete phrase rather than truncating it to "out of common".

What's the difference between "out of the ordinary" and "out of common"?

"Out of the ordinary" means unusual or exceptional. "Out of common" is not a standard English phrase. If you mean something is unusual, "out of the ordinary" is the correct choice.