The phrase "are common" is spelled using the American English phonetic transcription /ɑr ˈkɑmən/. The sound represented by the letter "a" in "are" is pronounced as "ar" like "car" or "hard", and the word "common" is pronounced with a short "o" sound as in "not" and a strongly pronounced "m". The combination of the two words is commonly used to describe something that is frequently encountered or found in great numbers.
The phrase "are common" is used to describe something that occurs frequently, is widely observed, or can be found easily and abundantly. It implies that the specified element or characteristic is neither rare nor uncommon, but rather prevalent and typical in a given context.
Common can indicate the existence of a particular object, phenomenon, behavior, or condition that is widespread or commonly encountered. It denotes that the specified subject is present in considerable numbers or proportions, occurring frequently or regularly within a particular group, population, or area.
Furthermore, "are common" can suggest the familiarity or widespread occurrence of a specific trait, attribute, or quality. It implies that the mentioned feature is not exceptional or extraordinary but is instead ordinary, widespread, or known to most individuals within a certain population or category.
The term "are common" can also be employed to highlight the general acceptance or lack of uniqueness of an idea, belief, practice, or concept. It indicates that the mentioned notion is widely held, widely practiced, or generally acknowledged within a particular context, culture, or society.
In summary, the term "are common" signifies something that is prevalent, frequently encountered, easily found, or widely accepted within a specified context, group, or population. It suggests that the object, behavior, characteristic, or idea described is not rare, unique, or extraordinary, but rather ordinary and typical, often considered the norm within that particular context.
The phrase "are common" is not a word that has an etymology per se, since it is a combination of two separate words: "are" and "common".
Here is the etymology for each word:
1. "Are":
The word "are" is the second-person singular and plural form of the verb "to be". It derives from the Old English word "eart" and has Germanic origins. It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "erti" and further to the Proto-Indo-European root "h₁es-". Related words in other Germanic languages include the Dutch "bent", German "bist", and Gothic "isti".
2. "Common":
The word "common" comes from the Old French word "comun", which itself derives from the Latin word "communis". "Comun" entered the English language during the Middle English period.