common
adjective
Occurring, found, or done often; prevalent.
Example Sentences
It's common to see people walking their dogs in the park during the morning.
Winter storms are common in this region, often bringing heavy snowfall and strong winds.
The flu is a common illness, especially during the colder months.
He had a common fear of heights that made climbing ladders difficult for him.
Using smartphones has become a common practice in today's society.
It's common for students to experience stress during exam periods.
In many cultures, sharing meals is a common way to build community bonds and strengthen relationships among family members.
The common belief that breakfast is the most important meal of the day encourages many people to start their mornings with a nutritious meal, setting a positive tone for the rest of the day.
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noun (countable)
Land owned collectively by a community, often for grazing or other public uses; also refers to the general public or masses.
Example Sentences
The village has a common where residents can gather for events and social activities.
Many ancient cities have preserved their commons, providing green spaces for recreation and community gatherings.
She spent her weekends volunteering on the common, helping maintain the public gardens and walking paths.
The commons near the river are popular spots for picnics and outdoor sports, attracting families and friends throughout the year.
In medieval times, the common land was essential for grazing livestock and supporting the local economy.
The community decided to clean up the common to make it more inviting for everyone to enjoy.
Local traditions often revolve around activities on the common, fostering a strong sense of community and shared responsibility among residents.
The university's commons serve as a central hub for student activities, providing spaces for studying, socializing, and extracurricular events that enhance the overall campus experience.
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How to Use
Indicates something typical, frequent, or widely shared among people or things.This adjective typically describes traits, occurrences, or items that are widespread, ordinary, or regularly encountered. You might say, “It’s common to experience a learning curve with new technology,” emphasizing that it’s typical, not exceptional. In everyday talk, “common” can also highlight shared traits or interests among a group: “They found common ground in their passion for art.” When used more formally, it may signify a standard practice, element, or feature (“It’s a common procedure in this industry”). Whether you’re discussing traits among animals, behaviors in society, or frequent occurrences, “common” signals that something is neither rare nor exclusive. Make sure to give context—specify whether you mean an ordinary pattern, a mutual characteristic, or a typical frequency—to ensure clarity. If comparing multiple things, using comparative or superlative forms (“more common,” “most common”) lets you highlight degrees of regularity. In sum, “common” positions a subject within the realm of typical, widely shared traits or occurrences, underscoring familiarity or broad prevalence.
Alternatives
If you want to avoid repeated usage or add variety, consider synonyms such as “ordinary,” “frequent,” or “standard,” each highlighting a slightly different nuance. “Ordinary” suggests something typical or usual, while “frequent” focuses on how often it appears. “Standard” implies it’s a default or widely accepted baseline. Other terms like “prevalent,” “widespread,” or “routine” can underscore broad distribution or normalcy. If you’re describing shared traits among people or groups, you might choose phrases like “shared,” “mutual,” or “communal,” each pointing to collective aspects. For negative connotations—like describing something mundane or unremarkable—try “unremarkable,” “average,” or “everyday.” Switching in synonyms based on context keeps your expression fluid and clarifies the exact angle you’re highlighting—be it frequency, familiarity, or mutualality—and thereby enriches your writing or speech without losing meaning.
Writing
When writing, you can use “common” to position a subject within ordinary experience or widely observed trends, whether you’re documenting social behaviors, summarizing scientific data, or offering practical advice. For instance, a statement like, “It’s common for small businesses to face cash-flow challenges,” shows how typical a hurdle is. In a literature review, you might describe motifs as “common themes” appearing across multiple works. Keep audience and tone in mind; if you need more precision—like indicating something extremely frequent—use “prevalent” or “dominant.” Conversely, if you’re describing a universal human experience, you might say “nearly everyone goes through this,” rather than relying solely on “common.” Blend it with data, examples, or illustrations to contextualize: “It’s common for people to skip breakfast, leading to lower energy levels mid-morning.” By grounding the term in specifics, you avoid overgeneralizing and bring clarity to how often or why something is typical. Whether you’re writing a factual piece, an academic paper, or a marketing brief, “common” efficiently signals an occurrence or characteristic that is not rare, making it easier for readers to understand collective or frequent phenomena without confusion or overstatement.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, you’ll hear “common” slip in whenever you discuss typical occurrences or mutual interests. You might say, “It’s so common to be nervous before a job interview,” showing empathy for a shared experience. Or with friends, “We have a lot in common,” focuses on shared hobbies or outlooks. If someone’s facing an ordinary problem—like losing keys—you might reassure them it’s “a common mistake.” Whether it’s about foods people enjoy, music tastes, or daily routines, calling something “common” conveys a sense of normalcy or wide familiarity. In casual talk, tone often depends on context: you might complain, “That’s a common scam,” warning someone about frequent trickery, or celebrate discovering common ground with new people (“It turns out we both love hiking!”). If you fear sounding too dry or repetitive, toss in synonyms like “typical” or “regular,” especially when describing day-to-day habits. Overall, “common” is one of those easy, comfortable words that helps establish a baseline of normal experience, bridging small talk or more serious discussions by noting how widely shared something is.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin “communis,” meaning “shared by all” or “general,” the English word “common” reflects a longstanding notion of communal accessibility or mutual ownership. In Middle English, “common” often indicated collective land or resources used by everyone, as in “common lands” for grazing. This sense of shared space evolved to describe features, traits, or experiences that a broad group holds in common—hence today’s usage of “common” to mean frequent, typical, or not exclusive to any single entity. Across centuries, the word’s connotations have expanded to social and cultural contexts, where it highlights normalcy, collective ownership, or typical patterns. Despite the expansion in meaning, it retains the core idea of “shared or ordinary,” appearing in contexts as diverse as biology (describing widespread species), socioeconomics (common goods), and everyday conversation (common interests, common mistakes). Each usage still echoes its Latin root of connectedness and generality, emphasizing how something is not rare or private, but rather available or experienced by many.