Meaning & use
commonalities
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“commonalities” is a form of “commonality”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nounplural
Features, interests or qualities that two or more people or things share.
Grammar: Plural of commonality: look for commonalities between the two plans.
Patterns
- commonalities between something and something
- commonalities among someone
The two languages share surprising commonalities in grammar.
We found commonalities between our childhoods almost at once.
Researchers looked for commonalities among the successful companies.
Word forms
| singular | commonality |
|---|
Common combinations
- find commonalities
- Try to find commonalities before you start arguing.
- share commonalities
- The two cities share many commonalities.
- commonalities between
- There are commonalities between the two stories.
- identify commonalities
- The study identified commonalities in all the cases.
- cultural commonalities
- Cultural commonalities helped the group bond.
Synonyms and how they differ
- similarities
- Similarities is the plainer, more common word, whereas commonalities stresses what is actually shared.
- shared features
- Shared features is a plain phrase for the same idea, and is easier for beginners.
- overlaps
- Overlaps is informal and suggests the shared part of two areas rather than shared qualities.
- parallels
- Parallels suggests a close, interesting resemblance, often between events or stories.
Opposites
Word family
- commonality noun
- the state of sharing features, or one shared feature
- common adjective
- shared by many, or frequently found
- commonly adverb
- often or widely
- commonness noun
- the quality of being usual or widespread
Commonly confused: commonalities or commonalities vs. commonplaces?
commonalities vs commonalities vs. commonplaces
Commonalities are shared features, while commonplaces are ordinary or overused remarks.
Practice
The two authors come from different countries, but their books have many ___.
Choose one answer.
Commonalities are shared features, which fits the contrast with different countries. Differences would repeat the contrast rather than complete it.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “commonalities”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.