What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rife
Example
The city was rife with crime and corruption. [rife: adjective]
Example
The rumors were rife throughout the office. [rife: adverb]
common
Example
It's common knowledge that smoking is bad for your health. [common: adjective]
Example
We have a common goal of improving our community. [common: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Common is more commonly used than rife in everyday language. Common is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while rife is less common and is typically used in informal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rife and common?
While common can be used in both formal and informal contexts, rife is more commonly used in informal contexts and has a more casual tone.
