thing in common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thing in common" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to shared characteristics or interests between people or groups. Example: "Despite their different backgrounds, they found a thing in common: their love for music."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They had one thing in common.

The New York Times

They have one big thing in common.

The Economist

All have one thing in common.

Independent

But they have one thing in common.

Independent

have one thing in common.

The New York Times - Books

They have one thing in common, though.

The New York Times

They all had one thing in common: they lost money.

The New York Times

They do have one thing in common, though.

The New York Times - Books

I soon saw that they had one thing in common.

The Guardian - Books

Babies and animals have another thing in common.

The New York Times - Books

Yet the two do now have one thing in common.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thing in common" when you want to highlight a specific shared aspect between two or more subjects. Be clear about what that "thing" is in your context.

Common error

Avoid using "thing in common" without specifying what the shared attribute actually is. Ensure the context makes the commonality clear to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thing in common" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a shared attribute, interest, or characteristic between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used to point out similarities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thing in common" is a versatile and frequently used noun phrase that serves to highlight shared attributes or interests. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, specifying the "thing" enhances clarity. Alternatives like "shared characteristic" or "common trait" may provide more precision in certain contexts. When using "thing in common", ensure the shared attribute is either explicitly stated or easily inferred from the surrounding context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared characteristic

Focuses on a specific attribute that is shared.

common trait

Highlights a characteristic feature shared by multiple subjects.

mutual element

Emphasizes a shared component or aspect.

shared attribute

Similar to 'shared characteristic', but focuses on a quality or property.

point of convergence

Suggests a place where different things meet or align.

common ground

Implies a basis for agreement or understanding.

similarity

A more general term for resemblance or likeness.

commonality

A broad term for things that are shared.

shared interest

Focuses on a mutual interest or passion.

something they share

A more descriptive and less direct way of expressing a commonality.

FAQs

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

You can use "thing in common" to highlight a shared attribute or interest between two or more subjects. For instance, "Despite their differences, they had one "thing in common": their love for music".

What are some alternatives to "thing in common"?

Alternatives include "shared characteristic", "common trait", or "mutual element" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to specify the "thing in common" instead of using the phrase directly?

Specifying the shared attribute directly can often improve clarity. For example, instead of "They had a "thing in common"", you could say "They both enjoyed playing the guitar".

How does "thing in common" differ from "common ground"?

"Thing in common" refers to a specific shared attribute, while "common ground" implies a basis for agreement or understanding. They are related but not interchangeable.