What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ordinary
Example
I had an ordinary day at work today. [ordinary: adjective]
Example
The food was nothing out of the ordinary. [ordinary: noun]
common
Example
The common cold is a viral infection that affects many people. [common: adjective]
Example
English is a common language spoken in many countries. [common: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Common is more commonly used than ordinary in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ordinary and common?
Ordinary is more formal than common and is often used in academic or technical writing.
