Words / B1

KOM-uh-nlee/ˈkɒmənli/

Commonly means often or by most people: commonly used; commonly known as. Common is the adjective (already in the dictionary). Usually and often are everyday. Rarely is an opposite. Do not use commonly for a thing that happened once. Commonly confused words is a typical exam heading.

Meaning

Often; by most people.

Examples

• “This error is commonly made in the first listening section.”
• “This spelling error is commonly made in the listening transfer.”
• “The bird is commonly known as a robin, which is the “by most people” sense.”

Good to know

commonly used / known as / confused. Adjective: common. Everyday: often / usually. Not for a one-off event.

Near in meaning

often

New