common Vs. ordinary

   Share on Facebook  
Deepcove  #263618  Thu, 07 Sep 06 06:23 AM

What is the difference between these two words? I always have difficulty using them.

If I say "a common person", do i imply this guy is not talented, of below average ability?

If i say " an ordinary person", do i mean he is just a person of the mass, an average joe?

Does 'common' has a more degrading sense?

For example, if sb make mistakes, should i say to console ' hey man, you are just an ordinary person, not a big deal.'  if i use 'common' in this sentence, is there a difference?

thanks a lot, as a newbie, i find this forum very useful and friendly.

  
Not Ranked
Joined on Tue, Aug 29 2006
New Member (26)
nona the brit  #263712  Thu, 07 Sep 06 10:51 AM

Common is an insult when it is applied to people. With most things, it can mean close to a synonym of 'ordinary'  or 'widespread' but with people it usually takes this meaning only: common – vulgar, coarse, ill-mannered, rough, low-class, unrefined. So it needs to be used with care.

 

Ordinary person means exactly what you think.

 

 

  
Top 10 Contributor
Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004
England
Veteran Member (11,438)
ModeratorProficient Speaker
The name says it all.
Annvan  #263713  Thu, 07 Sep 06 10:52 AM
Both of these words can sound negative, so, using your example, you would comfort this person saying: "Hey man, you're only human, not a big deal." Using the word "ordinary" might be insulting; the word "common" certainly would be!
  
Top 150 Contributor
Joined on Mon, Sep 4 2006
The Philippines
Regular Member (614)
Proficient Speaker
AddThis Feed Button RSS Feed: ESL Vocabulary and Idioms
© 2008 MediaCET Ltd.
Terms and Conditions & Terms of Service