Ambiguous meaning of "common"

Question

Consider the phrase

A transformation rule is a matrix, where certain elements can be accessed by a common name

"Common" can be interpreted in two different, both semantically correct ways

Common in the sense that the name is frequent.

Emily is a common name according to http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/penpals/stats.php3?Pays=GBR
It can also mean that more than one object shares the same characteristics

12 and 8 has 4 as a common denominator

How shall I distinguish case (1) from case (2). Is there a way to reformulate the phrase to unambiguously make it like in case (2).

Community · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-15 07:40:02Z

1

The preposition to will come to your aid.

A transformation rule is a matrix, where certain elements can be accessed by a name common to (the things you have in mind)

From Oxford (sense 2):

Shared by, coming from, or done by two or more people, groups, or things:

the two republics' common border

problems common to both communities

CommunityBot

1

answered May 2, 2015 at 11:57

Tushar Raj

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That does disambiguate the adjective, provided the writer intended it to be read that way, which they probly did. Though it doesn't distinguish the two cases when they aren't disambiguated.
– John Lawler
Commented May 2, 2015 at 14:38
@JohnLawler: You're quite right, Sir. I only answered the 2nd part Is there a way to reformulate the phrase to unambiguously make it like in case (2) Hoping someone will answer the first part. Maybe you could help with that.
– Tushar Raj
Commented May 2, 2015 at 14:41

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