was a common occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was a common occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that happened frequently in the past. Example: "In the early days of the internet, slow connection speeds were a common occurrence that frustrated many users."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

It was a common occurrence with many guys".

The New York Times

It was a common occurrence yesterday that people asked that their last names be withheld.

The New York Times

It was a common occurrence on a night when he ended up with more bruises than a rotten apple.

The New York Times - Sports

Munday and his brother set up the website after they discovered that this was a common occurrence.

The Guardian - Money

However, contamination by Lactobacillus bacteria was a common occurrence during these runs.

Bioresource Technology

My crime was a common occurrence in the neighborhood where I lived.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Kidnappings and disappearances are a common occurrence.

The Guardian - Film

Because the hydraulics overheat, fire is a common occurrence.

The New York Times

Death by fire in the slums is a common occurrence.

The Guardian

They said such run-ins are a common occurrence.

The Washington Post

"Fires were a common occurrence in those days," he says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance readability, consider rephrasing "was a common occurrence" with more concise alternatives such as "happened frequently" or "was typical", depending on the desired nuance.

Common error

Avoid using "was a common occurrence" excessively in close proximity to other passive constructions. This can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Try rephrasing some instances to use active voice for a more engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was a common occurrence" functions as a predicative expression, indicating that something happened frequently or was typical. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was a common occurrence" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to describe something that happened frequently in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is generally neutral in tone, fitting various contexts like news, science, and business. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the time frame, and consider using alternative phrases such as "happened frequently" or "was typical" to enhance readability. Avoid overuse of passive voice to maintain a strong writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

happened frequently

Replaces 'was a common occurrence' with a more direct description of frequency, suitable for simpler contexts.

occurred regularly

Uses 'occurred' which is slightly more formal than 'happened', but maintains the emphasis on frequency.

was a frequent event

Substitutes 'occurrence' with 'event', providing a more specific focus on particular instances.

was a regular feature

Emphasizes the predictability and habitual nature of the situation.

was commonplace

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adjective, suggesting that the event was ordinary and unremarkable.

was the norm

Indicates that the event was typical and expected, differing slightly in connotation from simply being frequent.

was typical

Highlights the representativeness of the event, suggesting it was characteristic of the time or situation.

prevailed

Suggests a wider influence or dominance of the event, which may not be implied by "was a common occurrence".

was generally observed

Focuses on the observation or recognition of the frequency, rather than just the frequency itself.

was widely seen

Implies that the event was not only frequent, but also publicly visible or known.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "was a common occurrence"?

You can use alternatives like "happened frequently", "occurred regularly", or "was typical" depending on the context.

How can I use "was a common occurrence" in a sentence?

You can use "was a common occurrence" to describe something that happened frequently in the past. For example, "Power outages were a common occurrence during the rainy season".

Is "was a common occurrence" formal or informal?

"Was a common occurrence" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for more formal writing, consider alternatives like "occurred regularly".

What's the difference between "was a common occurrence" and "is a common occurrence"?

"Was a common occurrence" refers to something that frequently happened in the past, while "is a common occurrence" refers to something that frequently happens in the present. Ensure you use the correct tense to reflect the time frame.