was not uncommon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not uncommon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurred with a certain frequency, suggesting that it was relatively common, but not universal. Example: "In the early 2000s, it was not uncommon for people to use flip phones instead of smartphones."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This was not uncommon.

The New York Times

It was not uncommon.

The New York Times

The scene was not uncommon.

The New York Times

The training was not uncommon.

The New York Times

The pattern was not uncommon.

The New York Times - Health

Such forthrightness was not uncommon.

The New York Times

Death or disappearance was not uncommon.

The Economist

The death penalty was not uncommon.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This, too, was not uncommon, he said.

The New York Times

"Which was not uncommon," she said.

The New Yorker

"It was not uncommon to see people without clothing," Capt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not uncommon" to convey that something happened frequently, but not always. It's useful to set a tone that acknowledges a situation without overstating its prevalence.

Common error

Avoid using "was not uncommon" excessively, especially if a simpler, more direct phrasing like "was common" is more effective. Overuse can make your writing sound indirect or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not uncommon" functions as a hedge or qualifier, softening a statement about frequency. Instead of directly stating something was common, it suggests it happened with notable regularity but without universality. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

12%

Huffington Post

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

The New Yorker

2%

The Guardian

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was not uncommon" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote that something occurred with some regularity, though not universally. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. While direct alternatives like "was fairly common" exist, "was not uncommon" offers a nuanced understatement. However, avoid overusing it to maintain clarity and conciseness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not unusual

Replaces "uncommon" with its direct antonym, keeping the negative phrasing.

was fairly common

Replaces "not uncommon" with a more direct expression of frequency.

was relatively frequent

Uses "frequent" to emphasize the regular occurrence of something.

occurred with some regularity

Indicates the action happened repeatedly and predictably.

happened on a regular basis

Emphasizes the habitual nature of the event.

was nothing out of the ordinary

Highlights that the event was typical and expected.

was a familiar occurrence

Focuses on the known and recognized nature of the event.

was seen quite often

Emphasizes the frequency of observation.

was a common sight

Describes something that was frequently visible or noticeable.

was somewhat typical

Suggests the event aligned with expected patterns.

FAQs

How can I use "was not uncommon" in a sentence?

Use "was not uncommon" to indicate that something happened fairly often or was not unusual in a particular context. For example, "In the past, it "was not uncommon" for families to have multiple generations living under one roof."

What's a good alternative to "was not uncommon"?

Alternatives include "was fairly common", "was relatively frequent", or "was not unusual" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "was common" or "was not uncommon"?

Both are correct, but "was common" is more direct. "Was not uncommon" can add a subtle layer of understatement or acknowledgment that it wasn't universally the case. Choose based on the desired tone and context.

Which is more formal, "was not uncommon" or "was fairly common"?

"Was not uncommon" tends to be slightly more formal than "was fairly common". The former is frequently seen in academic and journalistic writing, while the latter is suitable for general use.