Literary notes about Commonly (AI summary)
In literature, the adverb "commonly" serves to emphasize what is widely accepted, frequently occurring, or generally characteristic in both abstract and concrete contexts. Authors use it to indicate habits or practices that are regular or normative—for instance, describing widely held principles in philosophy and ethics ([1], [2], [3]) or to note that certain natural properties or naming conventions recur without exception in nature and society ([4], [5], [6], [7]). The term also marks typical or habitual behavior, as seen in references to customs in language and grammar ([8], [9], [10], [11]), as well as in descriptions of popular practices in history and culture ([12], [13], [14]). Whether clarifying how phenomena are generally observed or signaling the standard usage of terms in scholarly works, "commonly" functions to situate ideas within a broader, recognized context across disciplines.
- The axiom of Prudence, as I have given it, is a self-evident principle, implied in Rational Egoism as commonly accepted.
— from The Methods of Ethics by Henry Sidgwick - Or what is it commonly, that gives us any participation in it, even while alive and present, but our affection and regard to him?
— from An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals by David Hume - These words, as commonly used, have very loose meanings annexed to them; and their ideas are very uncertain and confused.
— from An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding by David Hume - These wharfs and keys commonly bear the names of their owners, and are therefore changeable.
— from The Survey of London by John Stow - Two or three sorts are found commonly growing wild here, the description of two of which I shall give you.
— from The Complete Herbal by Nicholas Culpeper - It grows plentifully in almost all places of this land, commonly in moist grounds by hedge-sides, and in the middle of grassy fields.
— from The Complete Herbal by Nicholas Culpeper - It grows commonly upon walls and house-sides, and flowers in July.
— from The Complete Herbal by Nicholas Culpeper - ( c. ) nunc aliquis dīcat mihi , H. S. 1, 3, 19, now somebody may say to me (more commonly dīcet aliquis , dīcēs , 1620 ).
— from A Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges by George Martin Lane - But in prose, quam is commonly used.
— from A Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges by George Martin Lane - The forms of the infinitive are commonly and conveniently called tenses, though this designation is not strictly applicable.
— from A Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges by George Martin Lane - Plural: N. deī , di͡i , commonly dī , G. deōrum or deŭm , D. and Ab.
— from A Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges by George Martin Lane - Do people commonly come to your Exhibition riding on mad elephants?
— from The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare by G. K. Chesterton - He adds that they were commonly carpeted and lined within with well-wrought embroidered mats, and were furnished with various utensils.
— from Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau - The whole quantity of a cheap commodity brought to market is commonly not only greater, but of greater value, than the whole quantity of a dear one.
— from An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
