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Meaning & use

in common

phrase·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ɪn ˈkɒmən/
US/ɪn ˈkɑːmən/

Meaning

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    Shared by two or more people or things; having the same feature or interest.

    Grammar: Usually used after 'have' or 'share': have something in common.

    Patterns

    • have something in common
    • have a lot in common
    • share something in common
    • in common with someone

    We have a lot in common, so we became friends quickly.

    The two languages have many words in common.

    In common with many students, she finds exams stressful.

Common combinations

have a lot in common
They have a lot in common and never run out of things to talk about.
have nothing in common
The brothers have nothing in common except their last name.
in common with
In common with other cities, the town is facing a housing shortage.
share a common interest
They share a common interest in photography.

Synonyms and how they differ

shared
Shared is an adjective describing something owned or used together; 'in common' is a phrase meaning 'shared by' and is used after verbs like 'have'.
mutual
Mutual describes feelings or actions felt by two people toward each other; 'in common' is about having the same features.

Commonly confused: in common or common?

in common vs common

Common as an adjective means 'usual' or 'ordinary'; 'in common' means 'shared'. 'A common problem' is not the same as 'a problem we have in common'.

Practice

Complete the sentence: 'My sister and I have a lot ___ common.'

Make it your own

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

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