What does common mean?
Word: Common
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Common means happening often or found in many places. Something that two or more people share is also common to them.
Synonyms: ordinary
How do you spell common?
Syllables: com - mon
Tricky part: The middle has a double m, and pupils who write by sound often put just one.
Watch out for: comon, commonn
Memory tip: A short saying helps: two m's are more common than one.
Idioms and Phrases
- have something in common: to have the same interests or features as someone Example: "Noah and Theo have a lot in common: both love chess."
Common in a sentence
Example 1: Mynas are common birds in many Asian cities.
Example 2: Neem trees are common along the roads in our town.
Example 3: The library is a common space that every class can use.
Fun Fact
It goes back to the Latin communis, meaning shared by all, the same root that gives us community.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
c_mm_n
a) o, e
b) a, o
c) u, o
d) o, o
Show answer
d) o, o. Each syllable, com and mon, is spelt with an o.
Word Makeup
Choose the prefix that completes the word:
____common
a) an
b) en
c) un
d) im
Show answer
c) un. Adding un makes a word for something you hardly ever see.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word:
common
a) shared
b) plain
c) usual
d) rare
Show answer
d) rare. Something that rarely happens is the opposite of something that happens all the time.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
mocnom
a) comma
b) column
c) common
d) commit
Show answer
c) common. Comma has an a, column needs an l and a u, and commit needs an i and a t.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Sparrows are common in many towns. If you looked out of a window in such a town, you would probably:
a) never see one
b) have to search for weeks
c) need a telescope
d) spot one quite easily
Show answer
d) spot one quite easily
2. Which of these shows common sense?
a) carrying ice cream in your pocket
b) watering plants during heavy rain
c) taking an umbrella when dark clouds gather
d) wearing a woollen coat on a hot summer day
Show answer
c) taking an umbrella when dark clouds gather
