What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
commonly
Example
It is commonly known that smoking is harmful to your health. [commonly: adverb]
Example
The red fox is commonly found in North America. [commonly: adjective]
typically
Example
He typically wakes up early in the morning. [typically: adverb]
Example
The Mediterranean diet is typically rich in fruits and vegetables. [typically: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Commonly is more commonly used than typically in everyday language. Commonly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while typically is less common and tends to be used in more formal or academic settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between commonly and typically?
While commonly is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, typically is more formal and is often used in academic or professional contexts.