Which should you use, common or mutual? The adjective common means belonging to or shared by two or more people. The adjective mutual is used to describe an action or emotion that is done or felt by each of two or more people to or for each other. Although mutual is normally used to describe reciprocal relationships, Charles Dickens's Our Mutual Friend has made mutual friend and mutual acquaintance acceptable.
| Incorrect: |
They have a mutual interest in golf.
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| Correct: |
They have a common interest in golf.
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