common
common — 名詞
1. a grassy piece of land, typically found close to a town or village, that anyone
公有地
村民可自由使用的公共草地
a grassy piece of land, typically found close to a town or village, that anyone in the public may use freely.
Villagers have grazed their sheep on the common for centuries.
村民們幾百年來都在這片公有地上放羊。
collocation: on the common
The children ran across the common to reach the playground on the far side.
孩子們跑過公有地，到了遠端的遊樂場。
concrete scene: children playing
Local residents protested when the council tried to sell part of the common.
當鎮議會試圖出售部分公有地時，當地居民提出了抗議。
A footpath across the common connects the old church to the village school.
一條穿越公有地的小徑，連接著古老的教堂和村裡的小學。
用法筆記
Often capitalized in place names, e.g. Clapham Common. Frequently preceded by 'the'.
2. a quality, interest, or experience that is shared by two or more people or thing
共通點
兩人或事物之間共享的特質
a quality, interest, or experience that is shared by two or more people or things, used especially in the phrase 'have something in common' to say that people are alike in a particular way.
Shirin and Antonia learned they had much in common during their first week at university.
Shirin 和 Antonia 在大學第一週就發現彼此有許多共通點。
pattern: have much in common
The two languages have very little in common despite being spoken in neighbouring countries.
這兩種語言雖然在鄰國使用，但共通點非常少。
pattern: have very little in common
Élise and her grandfather have one thing in common: a deep love of jazz music.
Élise 和她的祖父有一個共通點：都非常熱愛爵士樂。
Gabriel felt he had nothing in common with the other students in his dormitory.
Gabriel 覺得自己和宿舍裡的其他學生沒有任何共通點。
Brandon and his best friend share many interests in common, from hiking to cooking.
Brandon 和他最好的朋友從登山到烹飪都有許多共同的興趣。
文法句型
have something in common
have a lot / nothing / little in common
用法筆記
Frequently used with quantifiers: a lot, nothing, little, much, one thing. The preposition 'with' introduces the person or group being compared.
3. used to introduce a similarity or shared quality between someone or something an
同樣地
指出某人或某物與其他對象相似
used to introduce a similarity or shared quality between someone or something and another person or thing; meaning the same way or position as.
In common with many small shops, the bakery struggled to compete with large supermarket chains.
和許多小商店一樣，這家麵包店也很難與大型連鎖超市競爭。
pattern: in common with many + noun
Reuben, in common with most of his classmates, found the final exam surprisingly difficult.
Reuben 和班上大多數同學一樣，覺得期末考出乎意料地難。
This charity, in common with other non-profit groups, faces the same funding problems.
這間慈善機構和非營利部門的其他組織同樣面臨資金不足的問題。
Nkechi, in common with her sister, chose to study medicine at a university in Ghana.
Nkechi 和她姊姊一樣，選擇到迦納的一所大學攻讀醫學。
- like
simpler and more common in everyday speech
- similarly to
more formal, used in academic or professional writing
文法句型
in common with + noun phrase
用法筆記
This phrase always introduces a similarity that the subject shares with another group or person. It typically appears at the beginning of a sentence or directly after the subject. Distinguish from sense 2: 'in common with' compares two entities, while 'have something in common' states that a shared quality exists.
common — 形容詞
1. happening often; found in many places or in large numbers among people or in nat
常見；普遍
發生頻率高或在許多地方出現的
happening often; found in many places or in large numbers among people or in nature.
This type of bird is common in parks across northern Europe.
這種鳥在北歐的公園裡很常見。
common in [place] — used with a location to show where something is often found
Brooke says headaches are common among people who sit at a computer all day.
Brooke 說頭痛在整天坐在電腦前的人當中很常見。
common problem + among [group]
It is common for young children to feel nervous on their first day of school.
小孩子在開學第一天感到緊張是很常見的。
Vinícius met with his team to discuss the most common customer complaints this month.
Vinícius 和團隊開會，討論本月最常見的顧客投訴。
Smartphones have become common even in very remote parts of the world.
即使在世界上非常偏遠的地區，智慧型手機也變得普遍了。
- widespread
emphasises geographic or demographic range more than frequency
- frequent
focuses on how often something happens, not how many places it appears
- prevalent
more formal; used in academic or medical writing
用法筆記
Often used with in, among, or for to specify the group, place, or situation where something is widespread.
常見錯誤
2. the simplest standard of polite conduct that people rightly anticipate from one
基本禮儀
社會普遍應有的基本禮貌
the simplest standard of polite conduct that people rightly anticipate from one another in ordinary social settings.
Selim showed common courtesy by holding the door for the woman behind him.
Selim 為身後的女人扶住門，展現了基本禮儀。
common courtesy + by [gerund] — shows the polite action
It is common courtesy to thank the host after a dinner party.
在晚宴後向主人道謝是基本禮儀。
It is common courtesy to [verb]
The manager said common courtesy costs nothing but makes a big difference in the office.
經理解釋說，基本禮儀不花任何成本，卻能在辦公室裡產生很大的影響。
Tariro's mother taught her that common courtesy means listening carefully when others speak.
Tariro 的母親教導她，基本禮儀意味著在別人說話時仔細聆聽。
Even a simple good morning is common courtesy that builds a friendly atmosphere.
甚至簡單地說聲早安也是基本禮儀，能營造友好的氛圍。
- politeness
broader; refers to any polite behaviour, not just the basic expected level
- decency
overlaps with courtesy but emphasises moral standards of behaviour
- rudeness
behaviour that ignores basic social expectations
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed phrase common courtesy. Cannot be shortened to just courtesy in this sense — courtesy alone is a broader concept.
常見錯誤
3. a fact or piece of information that everyone in a particular group or community
常識；皆知
大家都知道的事情
a fact or piece of information that everyone in a particular group or community knows and accepts as true.
It is common knowledge among scientists that the Earth's climate is warming.
科學界大家都知道地球的氣候正在暖化。
common knowledge + that-clause — the typical pattern for stating what everyone knows
Indra discovered it was common knowledge at the company that the factory would close.
Indra 發現公司裡大家都知道工廠即將關閉。
It was common knowledge in the fishing village that the old lighthouse had a hidden room.
在那個小漁村裡，大家都知道舊燈塔裡有一個隱藏的房間。
The fact that water freezes at zero degrees Celsius is common knowledge around the world.
水在攝氏零度結冰是世界各地都知道的常識。
Daichi assumed the story was common knowledge, but no one had heard it.
Daichi 以為這個故事大家都知道，但沒有人聽說過。
- well-known fact
less formal; can apply to a single person's situation
- public knowledge
stresses that nothing is secret; used in news and official contexts
用法筆記
Typically used in the fixed phrase common knowledge followed by that-clause or among [group]. Often used to introduce information the speaker expects the listener already knows.
常見錯誤
4. an idea or opinion that is widely held by many people, even if it may not be com
普遍看法
多數人持有的意見或想法
an idea or opinion that is widely held by many people, even if it may not be completely accurate.
There is a common belief that eating carrots gives you better night vision.
有一種普遍看法認為吃胡蘿蔔可以改善夜間視力。
common belief + that-clause — the typical structure for stating a widely held opinion
Vivek questioned the common belief that older workers are slower to learn new skills.
Vivek 對年長員工學習新技能較慢的普遍看法提出了質疑。
Contrary to common belief, not all snakes are dangerous to humans.
與普遍看法相反，並非所有的蛇對人類都有危險。
The common belief among students was that the exam was harder than last year's.
學生們的普遍看法是這次考試比去年難得多。
Henrik's research challenged a common belief about how children learn to read.
Henrik 的研究挑戰了一種關於兒童如何學習閱讀的普遍看法。
- widespread belief
same meaning but slightly more formal
- conventional wisdom
the generally accepted view, often used when it is about to be challenged
- popular opinion
refers more to what most people currently think, not necessarily deep-rooted
- minority view
an opinion held by few people
用法筆記
Distinguish from common knowledge (Sense 3): common knowledge refers to accepted facts or information, while common belief refers to opinions or ideas that may be disputed. Often used with the phrase contrary to common belief.
常見錯誤
5. held or used jointly by several people, groups, or other entities, so that all o
共有；共用
由兩個以上的人或團體共同擁有的
held or used jointly by several people, groups, or other entities, so that all of them share equal access or possess the same connection to it.
The two countries share a common border that stretches for over five hundred miles.
這兩個國家共享一條長達五百多英里的共同邊界。
common + noun — common border, common interest, common trait
Paul and Justin discovered they had a common interest in repairing old motorcycles.
Paul 和 Justin 發現他們對修復老舊摩托車有共同的興趣。
The apartment building has a common garden where all the residents can sit and relax.
這棟公寓大樓有一個共用花園，所有住戶都可以在那裡坐下來休息。
A love of reading was a common trait among the members of the book club.
對閱讀的熱愛是讀書會成員的共同特質。
The neighbours set up a common fund for a security camera in the hallway.
鄰居們設立了一個共同基金，用來支付走廊監視器的費用。
- individual
belonging to only one person
- separate
not connected or shared
用法筆記
Common in this sense appears before a noun (common border, common interest, common trait). It describes something that multiple people or things jointly own, use, or possess as a shared attribute. Do not confuse with Sense 6 (COMMON GOOD), which is about benefiting the whole community, or with Sense 7 (JOINT EFFORT), which describes active collaboration rather than shared possession.
常見錯誤
6. relating to the benefit of an entire community or society rather than just a few
公共；公眾
為了全體社區或公眾利益的
relating to the benefit of an entire community or society rather than just a few individuals.
The public park was built for the common good, giving everyone a place to play.
這座新的公共公園是為了公共利益而建造的，讓大家有一個玩耍的地方。
for the common good — fixed phrase for community-wide benefit
Henrik ran for the school board because he wanted to work for the common good.
Henrik 參選學校董事會，因為他想為公共利益而努力。
Taxes are often explained as money collected for the common good of all citizens.
稅收常被解釋為為了全體公民的公共利益而徵收的錢。
The scientist shared her research findings openly for the common good rather than patenting them.
這位科學家為了公共利益而公開分享她的研究成果，而不是申請專利。
Community leaders met to discuss how to balance business profits with the common good.
社區領袖開會討論如何在企業利潤與公共利益之間取得平衡。
- public interest
more formal; often used in legal and political contexts
- collective welfare
formal; emphasises the well-being of the group
- self-interest
focus on one's own advantage rather than the community's
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used in the fixed phrase the common good, often after for. The noun following common is always good — do not substitute another word.
常見錯誤
7. involving the combined actions of two or more people or groups who actively coop
協力；合力
群體積極合作以達成共同結果的
involving the combined actions of two or more people or groups who actively cooperate and pool their resources to achieve a shared result together.
Sayaka and Tamar combined their savings for a common project: opening a small library.
Sayaka 和 Tamar 把積蓄湊在一起，為開一間小型圖書館這個協作項目做準備。
common + project (collaborative initiative)
Three local schools launched a common programme to share music teachers and instruments.
三所地方學校推出了合作方案，共享音樂老師和樂器。
common + programme (shared operational plan)
The neighbourhood organised a common effort to clear fallen trees after the storm.
風災過後，整個社區合力清除倒塌的樹木。
The two political parties formed a common front to demand better housing policies.
這兩個政黨為了爭取更好的住房政策而組成共同陣線。
Adaeze and Hari submitted a common application for the research grant together.
Adaeze 和 Hari 一起向研究經費提出了聯合申請。
- joint
focuses on the cooperative nature of the action (joint effort, joint venture)
- collective
more formal, emphasises the group as a unit (collective decision, collective action)
- cooperative
highlights the willingness to work together (cooperative project)
- individual
done by one person alone, not a group
- solo
undertaken alone without help from others
文法句型
common + noun (goal/purpose/aim/interest/ground)
用法筆記
This sense emphasises active cooperation and combined effort toward a shared outcome, rather than simply describing something that two or more people happen to possess. Typical nouns include 'effort', 'project', 'initiative', 'programme', 'front', and 'cause'. Distinguish from Sense 5 (SHARED POSSESSION): Sense 5 describes a thing or quality that multiple people own or experience together; this sense describes people working together to achieve something.
常見錯誤
8. old-fashioned; lacking good manners, taste, or education, in a way that was once
粗鄙的
缺乏教養、品味低下的（舊用法）
old-fashioned; lacking good manners, taste, or education, in a way that was once seen as typical of people from a lower rank in society.
Grandmother scolded Felipe for using such common language at the dinner table.
祖母責備 Felipe 在餐桌上使用如此粗鄙的語言。
common + language (pejorative, old-fashioned use)
The landlord considered their loud music and late-night parties to be dreadfully common.
房東認為他們吵鬧的音樂和深夜派對極為粗鄙。
predicative: be + common
In those days, eating with your knife was thought to be a common habit.
在那個年代，用餐刀吃東西被認為是粗鄙的習慣。
Élise's aunt found the bright plastic decorations rather common and refused to display them.
Élise 的姑姑覺得那些鮮豔的塑膠裝飾品相當粗鄙，拒絕擺放。
The novel's characters were dismissed by critics as crude and common types.
這部小說中的角色被評論家批評為粗鄙庸俗的類型。
文法句型
common + noun (manners/language/behaviour)
be + common
用法筆記
This sense is now considered old-fashioned and may carry a strongly negative or insulting tone. Used especially in British English to criticise someone's manners, taste, behaviour, or appearance. Avoid using this sense in neutral or formal writing — choose alternatives such as 'vulgar', 'coarse', or 'uncouth' instead.
常見錯誤
9. not special, unusual, or interesting in any way; plain and ordinary.
普通的
沒有特殊之處的
not special, unusual, or interesting in any way; plain and ordinary.
The hotel room was clean but the furniture was quite common.
飯店房間很乾淨，但傢俱相當普通。
predicative: be + common (meaning plain/ordinary)
Christopher wore a plain blue jacket that looked common next to the designer suits.
Christopher 穿著一件樸素的藍色外套，在設計師套裝旁顯得十分普通。
It was just a common cold, nothing serious enough to see a doctor.
只是普通的感冒，沒嚴重到要看醫生。
Folake preferred simple, common fabrics over expensive silks and satins.
Folake 喜歡簡單普通的布料，而不是昂貴的絲綢和緞子。
The recipe uses common ingredients that you can find at any local shop.
這個食譜用的是隨處可見的普通食材。
- unusual
not typical or ordinary
- special
having qualities that make something stand out
- remarkable
worth noticing because of unusual qualities
文法句型
common + noun
be + common
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (USUAL): sense 1 means 'happening often or existing in many places', while sense 9 means 'not special or remarkable'. A common cold is common in both senses — it happens often (sense 1) and is an ordinary illness (sense 9) — but for most nouns only one meaning fits.