common

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Happening often or found in large numbers; not rare or unusual.

   Grammar: Grades with more/most: more common, most common; the forms commoner and commonest are rare.

   Patterns

   • common in/among something
   • a common mistake/problem/cause
   • it is common to do something
   • common for someone to do something

   Typos are a common mistake in first drafts, so proofread carefully.

   Food allergies are becoming more common among young children.

   It is common to feel nervous before a job interview.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Shared by, belonging to, or done by two or more people or groups.

   Grammar: Usually comes before a noun, or after a linking verb with to: a problem common to both sides.

   Patterns

   • have something in common
   • common to someone/something
   • common ground/interests/goals
   • share a common something

   The two rivals found common ground on the need for better public transport.

   She and I have a lot in common, including a love of hiking.

   High housing costs are a problem common to many large cities.

3. 3adjectivebefore a noun

   Ordinary; of the usual kind; not special or unusual in quality.

   Grammar: Mostly used before a noun, as in common sense; not usually compared with more/most in this sense.

   Patterns

   • common sense
   • a common occurrence
   • the common people

   Use common sense and lock the door when you leave.

   For a nurse, long shifts are a common occurrence.

   The campaign claimed to speak for the common people.

Word forms

Common combinations

common sense

It is just common sense to save some of your paycheck each month.

common ground

The neighbors found common ground and agreed to share the cost of the fence.

have something in common

Our two cats have nothing in common except their food bowl.

common mistake

A common mistake is adding salt before tasting the soup.

common practice

It is common practice here to recycle office paper.

common cause

Lack of sleep is a common cause of poor concentration.

Synonyms and how they differ

frequent

Frequent stresses how often something happens, while common stresses that it is widespread or normal.

widespread

Widespread stresses that something exists over a large area or among many people; common is more general.

ordinary

Ordinary means not special in quality; common can mean that, but also means often found or shared.

shared

Shared fits only the 'belonging to two or more' sense and is plainer than common.

Opposites

Word family

commonly adverb

in a common way; usually or very often.

commonness noun

the quality of being common or widespread.

uncommon adjective

not common; unusual or rare.

Commonly confused: common or mutual? common or ordinary?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “common”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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