share a common ancestor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "share a common ancestor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing genealogy, biology, or evolutionary relationships among species or individuals. Example: "Humans and chimpanzees share a common ancestor that lived millions of years ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But we do share a common ancestor".

The New York Times

Humans, chimpanzees, and bonobos share a common ancestor.

The New Yorker

He said the two share a common ancestor.

The New York Times

We share a common ancestor with every mammal, with every animal; indeed, with every organism.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the campaign trail last year it emerged that the two share a common ancestor.

The Guardian

Participants believed or known to share a common ancestor have been grouped together and colored similarly.

Stanford University

branch off versions that henceforth share a common ancestor but follow somewhat separate development.

Cornell University

This observation supports the idea that chicks and humans share a common ancestor with fish.

University of California, Berkeley

The tests detect genetic markers that reveal whether people share a common ancestor or relative.

The New York Times

Both can be classified into closely related families that share a common ancestor.

The New York Times

The team believes that complex organisms share a common ancestor with Loki.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about human family history, consider using more colloquial options like "related" or "descended".

Common error

Avoid stating that one species evolved from another extant species. Instead, clarify that they both evolved from a "share a common ancestor".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "share a common ancestor" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a relationship between two or more entities through a genealogical connection. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "share a common ancestor" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, primarily within scientific, academic, and news contexts. It describes the evolutionary relationship between different species or individuals stemming from a single, earlier form. Understanding this phrase is crucial to avoid the misconception of direct descent, emphasizing instead a shared heritage. Alternatives such as "have a mutual ancestor" or "descend from a common origin" may be suitable depending on context. When discussing this concept, remember that specifying a shared predecessor is more accurate and avoids confusion. With a high source quality score and an expert rating of 4.6, the phrase's significance in explaining ancestry is clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Have a mutual ancestor

Emphasizes the shared nature of the ancestor.

Are related through common descent

More formal and emphasizes the process of descent.

Originate from the same lineage

Highlights the ancestral line of descent.

Have evolutionary kinship

Highlights the relationship in terms of evolutionary biology.

Descend from a common origin

Focuses on the origin point rather than the ancestor itself.

Trace ancestry to a common source

Highlights the act of tracing back to the source.

Are connected by ancestral links

Focuses on the links connecting different entities.

Stem from a shared heritage

Uses 'heritage' to broaden the concept beyond strict biological ancestry.

Derive from a common stock

Uses 'stock' to represent the ancestral population.

Belong to the same phylogenetic group

More technical, used in evolutionary biology.

FAQs

How do I use "share a common ancestor" in a sentence?

The phrase "share a common ancestor" is used to indicate that two or more species or individuals are related through a predecessor species or individual, for example: "Humans and chimpanzees "share a common ancestor" that lived millions of years ago."

What does it mean for two species to "share a common ancestor"?

When two species "share a common ancestor", it means they both evolved from a single, earlier species. This doesn't mean one evolved directly from the other, but rather that both have a genealogical connection to a past form.

What are some alternatives to "share a common ancestor"?

You can use alternatives like "have a mutual ancestor", "descend from a common origin", or "originate from the same lineage", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say humans evolved from apes?

It's more accurate to say that humans and modern apes "share a common ancestor". Humans did not evolve directly from chimpanzees or gorillas, but rather both humans and these apes evolved from an earlier primate species.