was rather common

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was rather common" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was frequently encountered or typical in a certain context or time period. Example: "In the early 2000s, the use of flip phones was rather common among teenagers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The horticultural varieties were dominated by Brassicaceae, most likely representing cabbage cultivation which was rather common in Roman times.

Journal of Archaeological Science

Additionally, we tried not to word the question in a way that it suggested that the behaviour was rather common.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

But the deeper she delved, the more she was convinced that the presence of saltwater was "rather common".

Science Magazine

These new studies coupled with the scattered occurrences that had already been reported elsewhere make it clear that it was rather common.

Heritage Science

For instance, it was rather common in traditional rural China that villagers chose to divide extended families into smaller ones once children grew up and married (Cohen 1976; Fei 1999).

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

"The pharmacist also told me that my problem was rather common so I shouldn't worry too much about it".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

This is rather common.

The Guardian - Books

"Here it's rather common to chant something racist".

The New York Times - Sports

Dirt is rather common among ZANU's elite.

The Economist

Jumps of more then seven feet were rather common in the old horse shows.

The New Yorker

Her name was Dolores Franco — her surname, which is rather common, being the same as the dictator's.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was rather common", ensure the context clearly establishes the time period or situation to which the commonality refers. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "was rather common" without specifying the specific group, time period, or situation. For example, instead of saying "mistakes were rather common", specify "mistakes were rather common among novice programmers during the initial phase of the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was rather common" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating that something occurred frequently or was typical during a specific period. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is perfectly usable in written English. Examples from the provided data support its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was rather common" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe something that occurred frequently or was typical in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, including scientific, news, and general discussions. While the phrase itself is neutral in tone, it's essential to provide clear context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "was quite typical" or "was fairly common" can be used to express similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Usage is most prevalent in the fields of science and news.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was quite typical

Replaces "rather" with "quite", indicating a slightly stronger degree of typicality.

was fairly common

Substitutes "rather" with "fairly", suggesting a similar level of commonness.

was relatively common

Uses "relatively" instead of "rather", implying commonness in comparison to something else.

was a frequent occurrence

Rephrases the idea using "frequent occurrence", emphasizing the repeated nature of the event.

was a widespread practice

Focuses on the pervasiveness of a specific practice or behavior.

was generally prevalent

Emphasizes the general presence or existence of something.

was not unusual

Expresses the commonness by negating the opposite, suggesting it wasn't rare.

was broadly accepted

Highlights the widespread acceptance or approval of something.

was a common feature

Identifies something as a typical characteristic or element.

was habitually practiced

Highlights the habitual or routine nature of a practice.

FAQs

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

You can use "was rather common" to describe something that occurred frequently or was typical in a particular time or context. For example: "In the 1990s, using dial-up internet connections was rather common."

What are some alternatives to "was rather common"?

Alternatives include "was quite typical", "was fairly common", or "was relatively common", each providing slight variations in emphasis.

Is it always necessary to specify a time frame when using "was rather common"?

While not always strictly necessary, specifying a time frame or context greatly enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretation. It helps the reader understand when and where the described phenomenon was prevalent.

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

"Was rather common" indicates that something was frequently observed or typical in the past, while "is rather common" indicates that something is currently frequently observed or typical. The key difference lies in the time frame: past versus present.