reasonably common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonably common" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that occurs frequently or is generally accepted within a certain context. Example: "In many cultures, it is reasonably common to greet strangers with a smile."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

If the recessive trait is reasonably common, as are mutations for cystic fibrosis, however, it would be reasonable to ask that the sperm donor be checked for carrier status before pursuing this option.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And something odd started to happen, an experience I've since been told is reasonably common.

The Guardian - Books

But a double fault - they seem reasonably common in the wheelchair form of the game - levels things.

The Guardian - Sport

Although always an elusive creature, the night parrot was once reasonably common throughout most of inland Australia.

The Guardian

Further reducing the hapmap's reach, the haplotype approach is likely to find only the disease-causing variant genes that are reasonably common in the population.

The New York Times

Mathematically, the two are almost decoupled.The drawback of failing to measure the tail beyond 99% is that it could leave out some reasonably common but devastating losses.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

But ice rinks are fairly common winter facilities — ponds work, too — and skates are reasonably affordable compared to skis, snowboards, and curling stones.

The New Yorker

While the setup is fairly common -- "The Woolgatherer" and "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune" immediately come to mind -- the plot still feels reasonably fresh.

The New York Times

We appeal to the Austrian government to act reasonably, use common sense judgment and apply the principles of human rights.

The Guardian

"We appeal to the Austrian government to act reasonably, use common sense judgment and apply the principles of human rights … "Short-sighted neo-nationalism should have no place in the Europe of the 21st century.

The Guardian

Carlos Ghosn said he was reasonably optimistic that common sense would prevail and the UK would remain a key partner of the EU.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reasonably common" when you want to convey that something happens often enough to be expected, but not so often as to be unremarkable. It strikes a balance between rare and ubiquitous.

Common error

Avoid using "reasonably common" when describing extremely rare occurrences. This can mislead your audience and undermine the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonably common" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree to which something occurs or exists. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a valid and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reasonably common" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves as an adjectival modifier, indicating that something occurs with moderate frequency, falling between rare and ubiquitous. While versatile enough for various contexts, including scientific and news-related content, it's important to avoid overstating the prevalence of extremely rare occurrences when using this phrase. Alternatives such as "fairly typical" or "moderately frequent" can be used to achieve a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commonly found

Highlights the ease with which something can be discovered or located.

moderately frequent

Focuses on the frequency of occurrence, quantifying it as moderate.

regularly seen

Focuses on the consistent visibility or observation of something.

quite usual

Suggests something is not surprising or out of the ordinary, similar to "reasonably common".

somewhat prevalent

Highlights the widespread existence of something.

fairly typical

Implies a slightly stronger sense of expected occurrence compared to "reasonably common".

relatively widespread

Emphasizes the distribution of something across a population or area.

generally encountered

Suggests that something is met with or experienced without being particularly rare.

ordinarily observed

Indicates that something is seen or noticed in the normal course of events.

habitually noticed

Implies that something is frequently observed out of habit or routine.

FAQs

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

You can use "reasonably common" to describe events, traits, or occurrences that are neither rare nor ubiquitous. For example: "It is "reasonably common" for people to experience mild anxiety before a job interview."

What are some alternatives to "reasonably common"?

Alternatives include "fairly typical", "quite usual", or "moderately frequent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "reasonably common" a formal or informal expression?

"Reasonably common" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or scientific writing, you might prefer a more precise term like "moderately frequent" or "somewhat prevalent".

What's the difference between "reasonably common" and "very common"?

"Reasonably common" suggests a moderate level of occurrence, while "very common" implies a high frequency. Something that is "reasonably common" happens often enough to be expected, whereas something that is "very common" is nearly ubiquitous.