have in common

Meaning

To share the same interests, experiences, characteristics, or opinions with someone else. This phrase is used to describe similarities that connect people.

Examples

• We don't have much in common, but we still get along great.

  We don't have much in common, but we still get along great.

• What do you and your new roommate have in common?

  What do you and your new roommate have in common?

• They have a lot in common, including a love for hiking and indie music.

  They have a lot in common, including a love for hiking and indie music.

• It's hard to date someone when you have nothing in common.

  It's hard to date someone when you have nothing in common.

• The two sisters have very little in common in terms of personality.

  The two sisters have very little in common in terms of personality.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We are in common with soccer.

  ✓ We have soccer in common.

  You cannot say 'we are in common with [topic]'. You must use the verb 'have' and place the shared interest before 'in common'.

• ✗ They have a lot of common.

  ✓ They have a lot in common.

  The complete idiomatic phrase requires the preposition 'in' before 'common'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• My brother and I have almost nothing ___.

  💡 Shared interests or characteristics.

  Show answer

  in common

• Do you and your partner ___ a lot ___?

  💡 Share many similarities.

  Show answer

  have in common