Common vs. Mutual — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 8, 2024
Common interests are shared by people without implying reciprocity, whereas mutual interests involve a direct exchange or relation, suggesting a two-sided agreement or feeling.
Difference Between Common and Mutual
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Common interests or attributes are those that can be found in more than one person or thing, indicating a shared trait or preference that does not necessarily depend on the interaction between those who share it. For instance, two people might have a common interest in music, but this doesn't imply they engage with it together. On the other hand, mutual interests are inherently reciprocal; they exist in the context of a relationship where both parties share a particular interest because of their interaction. This could be a mutual decision to learn a new language together, emphasizing the participation and agreement of both.
Commonality often refers to what is shared among a group, potentially large and undefined, and does not specify the nature of the relationships within. Many people can have common concerns about environmental issues, which means they share a similar interest but not necessarily as a result of direct interaction with one another. Whereas mutual concerns arise from and are shared within the dynamics of a specific relationship or agreement, such as mutual concern for each other's wellbeing among close friends, implying a more intimate and engaged level of shared interest.
The concept of "common" can be applied more broadly and is not limited to personal relationships or direct interactions. For example, it's common for people to need food and shelter, a statement that applies widely across humanity. Mutual, however, always implies a specific connection or reciprocal arrangement between parties, like mutual aid agreements between countries, where there is a clear, direct line of interaction and benefit.
In communication, expressing a common opinion means that the viewpoint is held by many, without the implication that these individuals have agreed upon this opinion through direct interaction. Conversely, when a mutual understanding is reached, it is the result of an interaction, negotiation, or discussion between parties, indicating a more engaged process of agreement.
In legal and formal contexts, "common" is used to describe rights or laws that apply broadly to many people or groups, such as common law, which evolves from tradition and judicial decisions and applies to all within a jurisdiction. "Mutual" is used in contexts requiring explicit agreement or consent between entities, like mutual contracts, which are agreements with terms that are negotiated and agreed upon by all parties involved.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Shared by, coming from, or belonging to multiple entities without direct interaction or reciprocity.
Specifically involves or is shared between two or more parties with direct interaction or reciprocity.
Nature
Can be unilateral; does not require reciprocity.
Inherently reciprocal and involves exchange or shared responsibility.
Scope
Broad and general; can apply to large groups.
Specific to the relationships or agreements between the entities involved.
Contexts
Often found in discussions of general traits, interests, or concerns.
Primarily used in the context of relationships, agreements, or direct interactions.
Examples
Common interests in music, common problems in cities.
Mutual agreements, mutual respect in a partnership.
Compare with Definitions
Common
Shared by several people or groups.
It's common for people to feel nervous before a public speech.
Mutual
Relating to a mutual fund.
She invests a portion of her salary in mutual funds every month.
Common
Belonging to or affecting the whole of a community or the public.
The park is a common space for everyone to enjoy.
Mutual
Pertaining to two or more entities reciprocally.
The treaty was based on mutual consent.
Common
Of the most widespread type.
The common cold is a leading cause of doctor visits.
Mutual
Held in common by two or more parties.
They have a mutual interest in preserving the environment.
Common
Frequent or usual.
Cold weather is common in the north during winter.
Mutual
Experienced or done by each of two or more parties towards the other.
Mutual respect is crucial for any team's success.
Common
Not out of the ordinary.
It's common to see birds in this park.
Mutual
Involving the sharing of a feeling, action, or relationship between two or more parties.
Their mutual admiration led to a strong friendship.
Common
Belonging equally to or shared equally by two or more; joint
Common interests.
Mutual
Directed and received by each toward the other; reciprocal
Mutual respect.
Common
Of or relating to the community as a whole; public
For the common good.
Mutual
Having the same relationship to each other
"They were cognitive companions, mutual brain-pickers" (Cynthia Ozick).
Common
Widespread; prevalent
Gas stations became common as the use of cars grew.
Mutual
Possessed in common
Mutual interests.
Common
Occurring frequently or habitually; usual
It is common for movies to last 90 minutes or more.
Mutual
Of, relating to, or in the form of mutual insurance.
Common
Most widely known; ordinary
The common housefly.
Mutual
A mutual fund.
Common
Having no special designation, status, or rank
A common sailor.
Mutual
Having the same relationship, each to each other.
They were mutual enemies.
Common
Not distinguished by superior or noteworthy characteristics; average
The common spectator.
Mutual
Collective, done or held in common.
Mutual insurance.
Common
Of no special quality; standard
Common procedure.
Mutual
Reciprocal.
They had mutual fear of each other.
Common
Of mediocre or inferior quality; second-rate
Common cloth.
Mutual
Possessed in common.
They had been introduced by a mutual friend.
Common
Unrefined or coarse in manner; vulgar
Behavior that branded him as common.
Mutual
Owned by the members.
Common
Either masculine or feminine in gender.
Mutual
A mutual fund.
Common
Representing one or all of the members of a class; not designating a unique entity.
Mutual
A mutual organization.
Common
Commons The common people; commonalty.
Mutual
(internet) Either of a pair of people who follow each other's social media accounts.
Common
The social class composed of commoners.
Mutual
Reciprocally acting or related; reciprocally receiving and giving; reciprocally given and received; reciprocal; interchanged; as, a mutual love, advantage, assistance, aversion, etc.
Conspiracy and mutual promise.
Happy in our mutual help,And mutual love.
A certain shyness on such subjects, which was mutual between the sisters.
Common
The parliamentary representatives of this class.
Mutual
Possessed, experienced, or done by two or more persons or things at the same time; common; joint; as, mutual happiness; a mutual effort.
A vast accession of misery and woe from the mutual weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.
Mutual, as Johnson will tell us, means something reciprocal, a giving and taking. How could people have mutual ancestors?
Common
Commons The House of Commons.
Mutual
Common to or shared by two or more parties;
A common friend
The mutual interests of management and labor
Common
A tract of land, usually in a centrally located spot, belonging to or used by a community as a whole
A band concert on the village common.
Mutual
Concerning each of two or more persons or things; especially given or done in return;
Reciprocal aid
Reciprocal trade
Mutual respect
Reciprocal privileges at other clubs
Common
The legal right of a person to use the lands or waters of another, as for fishing.
Common
Commons(used with a sing. verb) A building or hall for dining, typically at a university or college.
Common
Common stock.
Common
(Ecclesiastical) A service used for a particular class of festivals.
Common
Mutual; shared by more than one.
The two competitors have the common aim of winning the championship.
Winning the championship is an aim common to the two competitors.
Common
Occurring or happening regularly or frequently; usual.
It is common to find sharks off this coast.
Common
Found in large numbers or in a large quantity; usual.
Commoner used to be commoner, but more common is now more common.
Sharks are common in these waters.
It differs from the common blackbird in the size of its beak.
Common
Simple, ordinary or vulgar.
Common
(grammar) Of, pertaining or belonging to the common gender.
Common
(grammar) Of or pertaining to common nouns as opposed to proper nouns.
Common
Vernacular, referring to the name of a kind of plant or animal, i.e., common name vs. scientific name.
Common
(obsolete) Profane; polluted.
Common
(obsolete) Given to lewd habits; prostitute.
Common
Mutual good, shared by more than one.
Common
A tract of land in common ownership; common land.
Common
The people; the community.
Common
(legal) The right of taking a profit in the land of another, in common either with the owner or with other persons; so called from the community of interest which arises between the claimant of the right and the owner of the soil, or between the claimants and other commoners entitled to the same right.
Common
(obsolete) To communicate (something).
Common
(obsolete) To converse, talk.
Common
(obsolete) To participate.
Common
(obsolete) To have a joint right with others in common ground.
Common
(obsolete) To board together; to eat at a table in common.
Common
Belonging or relating equally, or similarly, to more than one; as, you and I have a common interest in the property.
Though life and sense be common to men and brutes.
Common
Belonging to or shared by, affecting or serving, all the members of a class, considered together; general; public; as, properties common to all plants; the common schools; the Book of Common Prayer.
Such actions as the common good requireth.
The common enemy of man.
Common
Often met with; usual; frequent; customary.
Grief more than common grief.
Common
Not distinguished or exceptional; inconspicuous; ordinary; plebeian; - often in a depreciatory sense.
The honest, heart-felt enjoyment of common life.
This fact was infamousAnd ill beseeming any common man,Much more a knight, a captain and a leader.
Above the vulgar flight of common souls.
Common
Profane; polluted.
What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
Common
Given to habits of lewdness; prostitute.
A dame who herself was common.
Common
The people; the community.
Common
An inclosed or uninclosed tract of ground for pleasure, for pasturage, etc., the use of which belongs to the public; or to a number of persons.
Common
The right of taking a profit in the land of another, in common either with the owner or with other persons; - so called from the community of interest which arises between the claimant of the right and the owner of the soil, or between the claimants and other commoners entitled to the same right.
Common
To converse together; to discourse; to confer.
Embassadors were sent upon both parts, and divers means of entreaty were commoned of.
Common
To participate.
Common
To have a joint right with others in common ground.
Common
To board together; to eat at a table in common.
Common
A piece of open land for recreational use in an urban area;
They went for a walk in the park
Common
Belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public;
For the common good
Common lands are set aside for use by all members of a community
Common
Of no special distinction or quality; widely known or commonly encountered; average or ordinary or usual;
The common man
A common sailor
The common cold
A common nuisance
Followed common procedure
It is common knowledge that she lives alone
The common housefly
A common brand of soap
Common
Common to or shared by two or more parties;
A common friend
The mutual interests of management and labor
Common
Commonly encountered;
A common (or familiar) complaint
The usual greeting
Common
Being or characteristic of or appropriate to everyday language;
Common parlance
A vernacular term
Vernacular speakers
The vulgar tongue of the masses
The technical and vulgar names for an animal species
Common
Of or associated with the great masses of people;
The common people in those days suffered greatly
Behavior that branded him as common
His square plebeian nose
A vulgar and objectionable person
The unwashed masses
Common
Of low or inferior quality or value;
Of what coarse metal ye are molded
Produced...the common cloths used by the poorer population
Common
Lacking refinement or cultivation or taste;
He had coarse manners but a first-rate mind
Behavior that branded him as common
An untutored and uncouth human being
An uncouth soldier--a real tough guy
Appealing to the vulgar taste for violence
The vulgar display of the newly rich
Common
To be expected; standard;
Common decency
Common Curiosities
What is mutual respect?
Mutual respect is a reciprocal understanding and consideration that individuals or groups show towards each other, recognizing each other's worth and rights.
Can something be both common and mutual?
Yes, interests or concerns can be both common and mutual if they are widely shared and involve direct reciprocity among specific individuals or groups.
What is a common interest?
A common interest is an interest shared by multiple individuals or groups, not necessarily through direct interaction.
What is an example of a common problem?
A common problem is an issue faced by many people across different contexts, such as pollution in urban areas.
Is mutual exclusive to personal relationships?
No, mutual can apply to formal agreements, legal contracts, and interactions between countries or organizations, not just personal relationships.
What does it mean when interests overlap?
When interests overlap, it means individuals or groups share certain interests, which can be common or mutual depending on the level of interaction.
How does common knowledge affect society?
Common knowledge, consisting of information widely known and accepted, contributes to a shared understanding and cultural cohesion within a society.
How do common goals differ from mutual goals?
Common goals are shared by a group without needing direct cooperation, whereas mutual goals require active collaboration and agreement among all parties involved.
How does a mutual interest differ from a common interest?
A mutual interest involves reciprocity and is shared specifically between parties through direct interaction or agreement.
Can a law be common and mutual?
Laws are generally considered common because they apply broadly, but certain agreements within the law can be mutual if they involve specific parties agreeing to terms.
What role does mutual aid play in communities?
Mutual aid plays a critical role in communities by providing a system of reciprocity and support where members assist each other based on mutual agreements or understanding.
Is it possible for a common interest to become mutual?
Yes, a common interest can become mutual if individuals or groups begin to actively engage and reciprocate based on that interest, turning it into a shared, interactive endeavor.
What is a mutual agreement?
A mutual agreement is a contract or understanding where all parties involved have negotiated terms and conditions that are explicitly agreed upon.
Why is mutual understanding important in communication?
Mutual understanding ensures that all parties involved comprehend each other's perspectives and intentions, facilitating effective communication and cooperation.
Can mutual feelings change over time?
Yes, mutual feelings, like any aspect of human relationships, can evolve based on circumstances, interactions, and individual changes.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
