Common vs. Usual — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 29, 2024
"Common" refers to something widespread or frequently encountered, while "usual" describes what is typically expected or customary in specific circumstances.
Difference Between Common and Usual
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Common" is used to describe elements that are prevalent or shared across a broad spectrum, such as common practices in a culture or common species in an ecosystem. In contrast, "usual" pertains to what is regularly found or practiced in particular settings, pointing to a norm or standard expectation.
Common occurrences or items are often seen or found in many places or situations, indicating a general prevalence. On the other hand, usual events or behaviors are those that conform to established patterns or routines in a specific context.
The term "common" can also imply ordinariness or lack of distinction due to widespread occurrence or availability. Whereas "usual" implies a consistency or predictability in specific scenarios, which does not necessarily denote ordinariness.
When referring to opinions or knowledge, "common" may suggest something that is widely accepted or recognized by most people, such as common sense. Conversely, the "usual" implies what is standard or typical for a particular person or group, like a usual order at a restaurant.
In usage, "common" often has a connotation of shared use or accessibility, such as a common area in a building. While "usual" is more about habitual patterns or choices, reflecting personal or group preferences under normal circumstances.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Frequently seen, widespread, or shared
Regularly or customarily happening or done
Connotation
General prevalence, sometimes ordinary
Standard, expected in specific conditions
Usage Context
Broader, across multiple contexts or groups
Specific to particular patterns or circumstances
Example Usage
Common knowledge, common ground
Usual routine, usual suspect
Focus
Shared characteristics or universal traits
Consistency or predictability in actions
Compare with Definitions
Common
Occurring frequently and widely in many places.
Cold is common during the winter months.
Usual
Habitually or typically occurring.
The usual crowd gathered at the café.
Common
Held or owned jointly.
The common area in the office was decorated for the holidays.
Usual
Commonly seen or used; not unusual.
The usual procedures were followed during the emergency.
Common
Lacking special distinction or uniqueness.
The bird is so common that you can see it in every backyard.
Usual
Regularly encountered, seen, or experienced.
He ordered the usual burger and fries.
Common
Belonging to or shared by two or more entities.
The common interests between the two countries facilitated trade agreements.
Usual
Conforming to what is typically done or experienced.
It was just a usual day at work.
Common
General; usual; not specific or definite.
It's common for students to feel nervous before exams.
Usual
Customarily done; typical.
She arrived at her usual time.
Common
Belonging equally to or shared equally by two or more; joint
Common interests.
Usual
Commonly encountered, experienced, or observed
The usual summer heat.
Common
Of or relating to the community as a whole; public
For the common good.
Usual
Regularly or customarily used
Ended the speech with the usual expressions of thanks.
Common
Widespread; prevalent
Gas stations became common as the use of cars grew.
Usual
In conformity with regular practice or procedure
Come at the usual time.
Common
Occurring frequently or habitually; usual
It is common for movies to last 90 minutes or more.
Usual
Most commonly occurring; typical.
The preference of a boy to a girl is a usual occurrence in some parts of China.
It is becoming more usual these days to rear children as bilingual.
Common
Most widely known; ordinary
The common housefly.
Usual
The typical state of something, or something that is typical.
Common
Having no special designation, status, or rank
A common sailor.
Usual
(colloquial) A specific good or service (e.g. a drink) that someone typically orders.
I'll just have the usual.
Common
Not distinguished by superior or noteworthy characteristics; average
The common spectator.
Usual
Such as is in common use; such as occurs in ordinary practice, or in the ordinary course of events; customary; ordinary; habitual; common.
Consultation with oracles was a thing very usual and frequent in their times.
We can make friends of these usual enemies.
Common
Of no special quality; standard
Common procedure.
Usual
Occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure;
Grew the usual vegetables
The usual summer heat
Came at the usual time
The child's usual bedtime
Common
Of mediocre or inferior quality; second-rate
Common cloth.
Usual
Commonly encountered;
A common (or familiar) complaint
The usual greeting
Common
Unrefined or coarse in manner; vulgar
Behavior that branded him as common.
Common
Either masculine or feminine in gender.
Common
Representing one or all of the members of a class; not designating a unique entity.
Common
Commons The common people; commonalty.
Common
The social class composed of commoners.
Common
The parliamentary representatives of this class.
Common
Commons The House of Commons.
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.
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 does "common" imply in social terms?
In social contexts, "common" implies something that is widespread or typical among a large group of people.
Can something be common but not usual?
Yes, something can be common across a broad range but not usual in specific circumstances or routines.
What is an example of a usual but not common occurrence?
A specific family tradition might be usual for that family but not common in the wider community.
How does "usual" relate to personal habits?
"Usual" often describes personal or group habits that are consistently repeated in the same manner.
How do "common" and "usual" differ in legal terms?
"Common" law refers to laws developed through court decisions, while "usual" practices in legal terms might refer to standard procedures in legal settings.
Is "usual" subjective?
Yes, what is considered usual can vary greatly between individuals or cultures based on their typical experiences or practices.
Can something become less common but more usual?
Yes, practices or items might become less widespread globally but more ingrained and typical within a smaller group or region.
Does "common" always imply something positive?
Not necessarily; "common" can sometimes carry a negative connotation when referring to things that are mundane or overly simplistic.
How do businesses use these terms differently?
Businesses might refer to "common" practices in their industry while advertising their services as better than the "usual" offerings.
How does the perception of what is usual change?
The perception of what is considered usual can shift with changes in societal norms.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
