shared in common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'shared in common' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe two or more entities that share a common trait. For example, "My siblings and I have a lot of shared interests and hobbies in common."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's hard, however, to imagine what the young Campbell and Lanegan might have shared in common.

The Guardian - Music

NEW ORLEANS — Emmitt Smith first heard about Trent Richardson a few years ago, from the coach they shared in common.

The New York Times - Sports

"We both come from Russian and Slavic backgrounds," were among the things Ms. Lapchuk said she learned they shared in common.

The New York Times

Every boy shared in common chores -- digging potatoes and shoveling walks -- Merson added and there were "no distinctions as to who was on scholarship and who wasn't.

The New York Times

"And that's one thing that we shared in common – we had both been constantly collecting sounds wherever we could find them.

The Guardian - Music

Languages could then be compared on the basis of how many cognate words on a Swadesh list they shared in common.

The New York Times - Science

I pored over the book to see if there was anything that I shared in common with this apotheosis of traditional American values.

The New York Times

One possible explanation concerns the coefficient of relationship (the number of genes on the average shared in common) among the individuals of a colony.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We socialised together by attending football matches and we shared in common a keen interest of sport in general, lived in a similar area of west London, we had families of a similar age and we got on very well.

The Guardian

After observing that the art of realism is leaning toward a depiction of "the life shared in common" by all people, he asserts, "Those who understand this should not be shaken by the tragic events occurring today".

The New Yorker

The other was a "reconciliationist" memory that emphasized what the two sides shared in common, particularly the valor of individual soldiers, and suppressed thoughts of the war's causes and the unfinished legacy of Emancipation.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shared in common", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being shared and by whom. For instance, specify the traits, experiences, or values that different entities possess together.

Common error

Avoid using "shared in common" in contexts where the word "common" is already implied or stated elsewhere in the sentence. For example, instead of saying 'They shared common interests in common', simply say 'They shared common interests'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shared in common" acts as a verbal phrase, typically used to describe a quality, characteristic, or experience that two or more entities possess together. It's frequently observed across diverse textual examples, highlighting its broad applicability. Ludwig AI states that is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shared in common" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression for indicating a mutual trait, experience, or characteristic between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's deemed correct and usable in written English. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from formal scientific writing to casual conversation, although it's most prevalent in news and scientific domains. To ensure clarity and avoid redundancy, it’s best practice to clearly specify what is being shared and to steer clear of using redundant phrases like "shared in common together". Remember that alternative phrases such as "held in common" or "mutually shared" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held in common

This alternative focuses on the idea of possession or belief being jointly maintained.

mutually shared

It emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the sharing experience.

common to both

This phrase highlights that something is a feature of two distinct entities.

jointly possessed

It stresses the idea of ownership being shared equally.

mutually experienced

Focuses on shared experiences between entities.

features in common

This focuses on comparing features of things.

have in common

Highlights the act of 'having' something that is commonly experienced.

shared attributes

Focuses on the characteristics that are the same between things.

things in common

Highlights the things experienced together.

elements in common

Highlights certain elements are the same.

FAQs

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

You can use "shared in common" to describe something that two or more entities have alike. For example, 'The two countries "shared in common" a long history of trade'.

What are some alternatives to "shared in common"?

Alternatives to "shared in common" include "held in common", "mutually shared", or "common to both", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "shared in common together"?

Yes, saying "shared in common together" is redundant. The phrase "shared in common" already implies a mutual aspect, so adding "together" is unnecessary.

What's the difference between "shared in common" and "have in common"?

While both phrases indicate a similarity between two or more things, "shared in common" emphasizes the act of sharing or possessing something alike, whereas "have in common" simply states that a similarity exists. The difference is subtle, but "shared in common" can imply a more active or deliberate connection.