was quite common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was quite common" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was frequently encountered or widely accepted in a particular context or time period. Example: "In the early 2000s, using dial-up internet was quite common among households."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Also giving music lessons was quite common.

Princeton University

It was quite common to do that.

The Guardian

"Technical decoration" was quite common, which contradicts the idea that Tripolye patterns were proto- pictographic signs.

Archaeology, Ethnology and Anthropology of Eurasia

Mr. Clinton said that it was quite common and that he liked to fulfill those requests.

The New York Times

"In the early 19th century, it was quite common to teach free market principles this way".

The New York Times - Books

"This is a big, beautiful moth that was quite common once," he said.

The Guardian

And she said what about doing a picture within a picture, which was quite common.

Independent

As was quite common in his time, he had two masters in succession.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was quite common, several being heard in different places, and was clearly neither the russet backed nor dwarf hermit.

Cornell University

This projection was quite common in the 1960's, when it gained the nickname "the orange-peel map".

The Guardian

Perez said that the practice of keeping a drop gun for framing suspects was quite common in CRASH.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was quite common", ensure the context clearly establishes the time period or setting in which the described situation or practice prevailed.

Common error

Avoid using "was quite common" without specifying the relevant timeframe or group, as this can lead to misunderstandings or inaccurate assumptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was quite common" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase indicates that something occurred frequently or was generally accepted in a particular time or context. It serves to describe the prevalence of a certain condition, behavior, or practice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

38%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was quite common" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for describing past occurrences or accepted practices. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability across various domains, particularly in news, science, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context regarding the timeframe or group to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "was fairly typical" or "was rather prevalent" can be used to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was fairly typical

Replaces "quite common" with "fairly typical", suggesting something aligned with the norm without indicating a high frequency.

was rather prevalent

Substitutes "quite common" with "rather prevalent", indicating widespread existence or acceptance.

was frequently observed

Emphasizes that something "was frequently observed", highlighting its repeated occurrence.

was a widespread practice

Replaces the general adjective with specific noun, making it suitable for use to describe a habitual activity within a certain time frame.

was a common occurrence

Replaces "quite common" with "a common occurrence", underscoring the habitual nature of something happening.

was generally accepted

Focuses on the concept of acceptance instead of how frequently something occurred, implying widespread approval.

was widely recognized

Shifts the focus to acknowledgment or awareness rather than mere frequency.

was in general use

Emphasizes the broad adoption and application of something.

was broadly practiced

Highlights the extensive application or implementation of something.

was habitually done

Focuses on the habitual or routine performance of an action.

FAQs

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

You can use "was quite common" to describe something that occurred frequently or was generally accepted in a specific period or context. For instance, "In the 1950s, wearing hats "was quite common"".

What are some alternatives to "was quite common"?

Alternatives include "was fairly typical", "was rather prevalent", or "was a common occurrence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "was quite common"?

Yes, "was quite common" is grammatically correct and is widely used in written and spoken English to describe past trends or practices.

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

"Was quite common" refers to something that frequently occurred or was generally accepted in the past, while "is quite common" indicates that something frequently occurs or is generally accepted in the present.