common 多用于指物，侧重很常见，不稀奇。
ordinary 用于物，指每天发生，十分平淡无奇；用于人，指无特别之处，很一般。
common place强调缺少新意。
general 语气强于common，侧重大多如此，很少有例外情况。
usual 指常见常闻和常做的事或举动，强调惯常性。
popular 指适应大众爱好、需要，为大家所公认或接受。
universal 与general同义，但语气较强，侧重对每个人或事物都适用，根本没有例外。
参考例句
1. Ordinary people think merely of spending time . Great people think of using it . 平庸的人只会想着怎么消磨时间，伟大的人却想着怎么利用时间。
2. Ordinary people live or die depends on the enforcement of human emotions to the decision? 普通百姓的死活全凭执法者的喜怒哀乐来决定？
3. Ordinary get off work at 5p. m…He always have a dinner date, he always get to home at the midnight. 一般5点钟下班。他通常有晚餐约会。回家常常已接近午夜。
英英解释
n.
1. a judge of a probate court
2. the expected or commonplace condition or situation
3. a clergyman appointed to prepare condemned prisoners for death
4. an early bicycle with a very large front wheel and small back wheel
5. (heraldry) any of several conventional figures used on shields adj.
1. not exceptional in any way especially in quality or ability or size or degree
2. lacking special distinction, rank, or status; commonly encountered
