commonplace
gb/kˈɑmənplˌeɪs/ us/kˈɑmənplˌeɪs/
B2
Anglais
~ 5800
Sens
0 sens
adjective
B2
property
1
ordinary; not unusual or special
Happening often and seen as normal, so it does not feel special or surprising.
Schéma d’usage :
[something] is commonplace
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes split the word and write *common place* when they mean the adjective *commonplace*. *Common* is a separate adjective meaning 'usual', but *commonplace* is one word and often sounds slightly more formal or written. Learners may also confuse *commonplace* with *popular*: *commonplace* means something happens often and is not special, while *popular* means many people like it.
Synonymes
ordinary (Most general word; does not always carry the idea of being boring through frequency, which 'commonplace' often suggests.)
|
routine (Emphasizes being part of a regular pattern or schedule, while 'commonplace' focuses on being very usual in general.)
|
unremarkable (Stronger focus on lacking anything interesting; 'commonplace' focuses more on how often something occurs.)
Antonymes
unusual (Highlights that something does not happen often, the opposite of something commonplace.)
|
exceptional (Suggests something is special or outstanding, the opposite of ordinary or commonplace.)
Collocations
become commonplace
|now commonplace
|increasingly commonplace
|a commonplace occurrence
|fairly commonplace
|made commonplace by
Thèmes
daily life
|general
|society
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Remote work has become commonplace in many industries.
- Security cameras are now commonplace in city centers.
- It was commonplace for employees to work late without extra pay.
- These kinds of data breaches are sadly commonplace nowadays.
- Fast internet access is still not commonplace in rural areas.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Smartphones are commonplace in schools today.
- Online meetings are commonplace in my company.
- It is commonplace for people to shop on the internet.
- Long working hours are commonplace in that office.
- Bad traffic is commonplace in big cities.
Nom
B2
entity
2
a very usual, ordinary thing
A thing that is very normal and happens a lot, so it does not feel special.
Schéma d’usage :
[something] is a commonplace
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes treat this noun only as an adjective. For example, they may say *"This is commonplace"* when they want to say *"This is a commonplace in modern life"* (a usual, standard thing). Both forms can be correct, but the noun form is typically used when you are clearly talking about a type of thing or feature.
Synonymes
norm (Often used for social rules or average behavior; *commonplace* is more general for any very usual thing.)
|
regular feature (Informal phrase for something that appears often; *commonplace* is more compact and slightly more formal.)
Antonymes
rarity (Direct opposite: something that does not happen often and is therefore special or unusual.)
Collocations
a commonplace
|now a commonplace
|become a commonplace
|social media is a commonplace
|from luxury to commonplace
Thèmes
daily life
|society
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- What was once a luxury is now a commonplace.
- For younger generations, streaming services are a commonplace in everyday life.
- In big cities, high-rise apartments have become a commonplace.
- Online payments are a commonplace for many shoppers.
- Electric cars may soon be a commonplace on our roads.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Credit cards are a commonplace in many countries.
- For my children, video calls are a commonplace.
- Working from home is a commonplace in his company.
- Fast food is a commonplace in their daily routine.
- Email is a commonplace at school and at work.
Nom
C1
entity
3
a trite or obvious remark
A sentence that says something very obvious in a boring, not new way.
Schéma d’usage :
[speech/writing] is full of commonplaces
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may think *commonplace* here means a 'common place' (a location many people visit). In this sense, it is a noun for a boring, obvious remark in speech or writing. It is not very common in everyday conversation and appears more in reviews, essays, and critical writing.
Synonymes
platitude (Very close in meaning; slightly more formal and often more negative than *commonplace*.)
|
cliché (Often used for overused phrases and ideas in art or speech; can sound more informal than *commonplace*.)
Antonymes
insight (An idea that is fresh, deep, and interesting, unlike a dull, obvious commonplace.)
|
originality (The quality of being new and creative, the opposite of repeating stale commonplaces.)
Collocations
tired commonplace
|empty commonplaces
|repeat commonplaces
|trade in commonplaces
|speech full of commonplaces
Thèmes
language
|communication
Exemples
- The article offered nothing but commonplaces about the importance of hard work.
- His speech was full of tired commonplaces that impressed no one.
- Instead of repeating commonplaces, she tried to share a personal story.
- Critics dismissed the book as a collection of moral commonplaces.
- He has a gift for turning old commonplaces into something fresh and moving.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The talk was boring and full of commonplaces.
- He only said commonplaces like "Love is important."
- Students are tired of hearing the same commonplaces every year.
- The writer avoids commonplaces and uses new ideas.
- Her advice was just commonplaces that everyone already knew.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
commonplace
API
GB/kˈɑmənplˌeɪs/
US/kˈɑmənplˌeɪs/
Syllabes et accentuation
com - mon - place (3 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (com)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: commonplace
Noun
- Base: commonplace
- Plural: commonplaces
Famille de mots
Expressions
Aucune expression n’est encore associée à cette entrée.