trait in common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trait in common" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a characteristic or quality that is shared between two or more people or things. Example: "Despite their different backgrounds, they found a trait in common that brought them closer together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

They may hate each other, but Lazaro Gonzalez and Fidel Castro have one trait in common.

The New York Times

A list of elegant things, like a list of obscene things, includes no single trait in common across its members.

The New Yorker

By Harold Ross The New Yorker, October 8 , 1927P. 17 Heywood Broun and Babe Ruth have one trait in common - they cannot keep a secret.

The New Yorker

Of the home economists we have met in our lifetime, all had one trait in common: not one of them was home.

The New Yorker

Despite their differences, Wittgenstein and Popper did have an important trait in common: their "sheer awfulness," as the authors put it, with slight understatement.

The New York Times - Books

Chimpanzees and humans have one key trait in common – both are natural born killers, scientists have shown.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

I am on several resident committees, serve on three boards in La Jolla, and have four men in my life, all of whom have an essential trait in common--they drive at night.

Huffington Post

The early astronauts had some traits in common, he noticed.

The Guardian - Books

They have some personality traits in common as well.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, Chevy Chase, standing near the coat check, observed that moguls have certain traits in common.

The New Yorker

These sightseeing, navel-gazing projects have a few traits in common.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "trait in common", ensure that you clearly specify the entities sharing the trait to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "Both cats and dogs share the trait in common of being domesticated."

Common error

Avoid using "share a trait in common" as it is slightly redundant. Instead, opt for "have a trait in common" or "share a trait".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trait in common" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a shared characteristic between two or more subjects. It is often used to highlight similarities despite potential differences, as demonstrated by the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "trait in common" effectively highlights shared characteristics among different subjects. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, especially in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. While versatile, it's important to avoid redundancy like "share a trait in common" and be clear about the entities sharing the trait. Considering alternatives such as "shared characteristic" or "common attribute" can further refine the precision of your writing. The identified contexts and advice will assist you in successfully using the phrase in your writings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared characteristic

Focuses on the characteristic itself being shared, rather than the concept of it being 'in common'.

common attribute

Emphasizes the attribute that is shared, implying a more formal or technical context.

shared feature

Highlights a specific feature that is possessed by multiple entities.

point of similarity

Draws attention to a specific point where two or more things are alike.

common denominator

Implies a fundamental shared element, often in a mathematical or abstract sense.

mutual quality

Highlights the reciprocal nature of the shared quality.

similar characteristic

Like "shared characteristic", focuses on what is alike, but can be extended to a set of similar rather than identical properties.

element in common

Focuses on a basic element that is present in multiple entities.

aspect in common

Highlights a particular aspect that is shared.

something shared

A more general term that refers to anything that is possessed or experienced jointly.

FAQs

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

You can use "trait in common" to describe a characteristic shared by two or more entities. For example, "Despite their differences, they had one "trait in common": a strong work ethic."

What are some alternatives to "trait in common"?

Some alternatives include "shared characteristic", "common attribute", or "point of similarity". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "share a trait in common"?

Yes, saying "share a trait in common" can be considered slightly redundant. It's more concise and grammatically sound to say "share a trait" or "have a "trait in common"".

What's the difference between "trait in common" and "characteristic in common"?

"Trait" and "characteristic" are largely interchangeable in this context. Both ""trait in common"" and "characteristic in common" refer to a quality or feature that is shared.