diff --git a/fluents/dataset.py b/fluents/dataset.py
index 9ee083f..4428c49 100644
--- a/fluents/dataset.py
+++ b/fluents/dataset.py
@@ -142,6 +142,12 @@ class Dataset:
         else:
             return [dim for dim in self]
 
+    def common_dims(self, ds):
+        """Returns a list of the common dimensions in the two datasets."""
+        dims = self.get_dim_name()
+        ds_dims = ds.get_dim_name()
+        return [d for d in dims if d in ds_dims]
+        
     def get_identifiers(self, dim, indices=None,sorted=False):
         """Returns identifiers along dim, sorted by position (index)
         is optional.
@@ -204,7 +210,8 @@ class Dataset:
         for ni, na in zip(identifier_shape, self.shape):
             if ni != na:
                 raise ValueError, "Identifier-array mismatch: %s: (idents: %s, array: %s)" %(self._name, ni, na)
-            
+
+
 class CategoryDataset(Dataset):
     """The category dataset class.