: many times : frequently
are often puzzled and sometimes annoyed by the ways of other peoples—
W. A. Parker
Synonyms
Example Sentences
They go out to dinner fairly often.
How often do you call your mother?
The condition often returns even after treatment with antibiotics.
I often take a walk during my lunch break.
He travels more often than I do.
The disease is diagnosed most often in children.
They seem to be getting into arguments more and more often.
It’s not often that I get to enjoy a day off.
Water the plants often enough to keep the soil moist.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Besides Galloway and Wilt, Humphrey praised other first responders for their efforts at the scene, noting that Fire and EMS personnel often enter scenes before they are deemed safe.
—Madeline Mitchell, The Courier-Journal, 12 Apr. 2023
My boss tells me quite often that there’s a bigger plan for me at the company.
—Annie Lane, oregonlive, 12 Apr. 2023
But, when acknowledging the other end of the spectrum, meal replacement bars and shakes can often offer a far better option than picking up a burger and a milkshake from a fast-food drive thru.
—Talene Appleton, menshealth.com, 12 Apr. 2023
Parker Clay Rincon Backpack $228 at parkerclay.com This spacious bag doubles as a tote and a backpack and is an ideal gift for the dad who often hits the beach/park/tailgate with a lot to carry.
—Lizzy Briskin, womenshealthmag.com, 12 Apr. 2023
She can often be found in front of a screen fangirling about something new.
—Samantha Olson, Seventeen, 12 Apr. 2023
While many garments and accessories have popped back into the picture in recent years, few items are as ubiquitous as fanny packs (now often referred to as belt bags).
—Rebecca Norris, Woman’s Day Magazine, 11 Apr. 2023
Then, over time, people get to know them a little—and often still wouldn’t touch them with a 10-foot pole.
—David Meyer, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2023
Such agencies often rely on machine learning (ML) technology for the efforts, which allows programs to take in vast amounts of data and train themselves to find patterns and make predictions, according to MIT’s explanation on ML.
—Emma Colton, Fox News, 11 Apr. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘often.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, alteration of oft
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of often was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near often
Cite this Entry
“Often.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/often. Accessed 13 Apr. 2023.
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13 Apr 2023
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
Often when words are synonyms in the English language, you’ll wonder if they have any differences between them. That is to say, if they are completely equivalent in all contexts, or if there are some small differences. This article will explain what the difference is between “often” and “frequently”.
“Often” and “frequently” are nearly identical terms that refer to events that happen regularly. The key difference between them is that “frequently” carries the implication of something that happens in regular intervals, while “often” doesn’t necessarily imply that something is happening at a set interval.
However, this implication of a regular pace does little to affect the ways in which these terms are used, and they’re practically equivalent terms that you can use interchangeably.
“Often” and “frequently” classify as synonyms of each other, because even though they don’t have completely equal definitions, they are still frequently used as equivalents nonetheless.
Often
“Often” is a word that merely states that something happens several times. It’s a very simple and straightforward term that can be used when talking about things that occur relatively close to each other. This is a term you can use to guarantee your audience understands what you mean.
Many people often wonder what the period of time in which something happens several times has to be in order for it to be considered as “often”.
There is no set answer on what qualifies as “often”, and it will always depend on the context. Once every day can be “often”, and once every year can also be “often”.
According to The Cambridge English Dictionary, “often” simply means “a lot or many times”. It’s a vague definition, and it carries no hard information on what number constitutes as “often”, which is why it’s relative.
Here are some example sentences that will teach you how to use “often” in a sentence:
- Often I find myself thinking about what would’ve happened if I had stayed in the train.
- She comes to see me often, and we have long conversations about literature and life.
- He would often remark that he thought this project was in very good hands.
- They are often misleading with their initial comments, so don’t drop your guard.
- Often I would go to the shawarma shop on the corner, and have lunch there.
Frequently
“Frequently” is a term that you use to imply that something occurs at a relatively regular pace, and that the time periods that occur in between each instance are not too far apart from each other. It’s a term to keep in mind to convey a specific sense of rhythm.
When you say “frequently”, you’re letting the audience know that the intervals at which the specific action or event occurred were relatively equal, occurring at a set pace.
According to The Cambridge English Dictionary, “frequently” is a word that simply means “often”, cementing its status as a near-perfect synonym of the term.
Here are some example sentences that will show you how to use “frequently” in your sentences:
- Frequently I find myself thinking about him, and what he’s up to in the modern day.
- I frequently go to the grocery store because I need to stock up on my food for the week.
- She frequently visits me, which is something that I really appreciate about her.
- He frequently will notice when I alter the documents, and he’ll praise me for it.
- Frequently they would show up at my university, and I never knew what to say to them.
Which Is Used the Most?
According to data provided by the Google Ngram Viewer, “often” is significantly more popular than “frequently”. Since the year 1900, “often” has been the more popular alternative when compared to “frequently”.
Furthermore, there hasn’t been a single point where “frequently” came close to surpassing “often”. In fact, use of “often” has increased, while “frequently” has remained stable.
More Often or More Frequently?
Both “more often” and “more frequently” are grammatically correct uses of frequency adverbs, though “more often” is slightly more common than “more frequently”, and sounds less awkward to the tongue. Which one you will use is up to you and what sounds better at the moment.
“More often” is a very common phrase, and it’s usually used in the context of the expression “more often than not”.
- More often than not I will find myself working at late hours in the night.
- You should come over more frequently, I miss you.
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.
На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать грубую лексику.
На основании Вашего запроса эти примеры могут содержать разговорную лексику.
слово часто
слово, которое часто
Let’s stop for a moment and look at the concept of value, a word that is often used without much exploration.
Давайте на секунду прервемся и рассмотрим понятие ценности — это слово часто используют, не задумываясь о его истинном значении.
It is a word that is often used to suggest extremist, but actually it doesn’t mean that.
Это слово часто используют в значении «экстремистский», хотя на самом деле оно значит совсем не это.
The Value Doctrine The second part of this book is about value, a word that is often used but rarely analyzed.
Доктрина ценностей Вторую часть книги я посвятил ценностям — это слово часто используют, хотя редко понимают его смысл.
There is another word that is often used along with savant.
Humiliation is another word that is often confused with shame.
Another word that is often used for narcotics is drugs.
Существует еще одно слово, которое иногда используется для определения наркотиков, — наркотические вещества.
Freedom is an often used word that is often misunderstood.
A word that is often seen alongside watch brands is «timeless».
Dizziness is a word that is often used to describe two different feelings.
Addiction is an emotionally charged word that is often associated with using drugs.
Sovereignty is a word that is often used wrongly.
Holla is a slang word that is often used in informal conversations.
Masala is a word that is often used in an Indian kitchen.
Satire is a word that is often used to mean that there aren’t any people in the fiction, and for that reason I’m uncomfortable calling Terry a satirist.
Слово «сатира» нередко используется, чтобы подчеркнуть, что в художественном произведении нет никаких реальных людей, и по этой причине мне не нравится звать Терри сатириком.
There is however one other word that is often used when discussing salvation.
Результатов: 15. Точных совпадений: 15. Затраченное время: 81 мс
Documents
Корпоративные решения
Спряжение
Синонимы
Корректор
Справка и о нас
Индекс слова: 1-300, 301-600, 601-900
Индекс выражения: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200
Индекс фразы: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200
Proved that often teethers use shortens teething time.
Доказано, что частое использование изделия ускоряет процесс роста зубов.
The problem of alcoholism is a sorrow that often befalls our families.
Проблема алкоголизма- это горе, которое часто постигает наши семьи.
The alternative is frustration that often leads only to violence.
Вы часто этим занимаетесь, ходите в бар, чтобы выпить в одиночестве?
Well, if she got cut that often, she would bleed to death.
Note that often the first to begin to deteriorate teeth precisely the upper jaw.
Обратите внимание, что чаще всего первыми начинают портиться зубы именно верхней челюсти.
That often involves various forms of segregation or solitary detention.
Это часто предполагает применение различных форм изоляции или содержание в одиночных камерах.
And that often means letting the opponent live and holding onto your chips.
Часто это означает- оставить оппонента в игре и сохранить свои фишки.
Естественно, это часто приводит к замедлению прогресса.
That often turns out to be successful and leads to strikes,
riots and uprisings.
Та, зачастую, оказывается успешной и приводит к забастовкам, бунтам и восстаниям.
However, evaluation is a tool that often does not live up to expectations, effort and cost.
Однако оценка не является инструментом, который всегда оправдывает ожидания, усилия и затраты.
Luckily it’s not that often, Only a thousand times a day.
This model is the one that often inspires bilateral
or multilateral treaties on judicial cooperation or extradition between States.
Эта модель одна из тех, которые обычно лежат в основе двусторонних
или многосторонних договоров между государствами о сотрудничестве в судебной сфере или о выдаче.
Even Android phones ship with non-free software and
proprietary add-ons that often work against in the full interest of the user.
Даже телефоны с системой Android поставляются с
несвободными программами и дополнениями, которые обычно работают не полностью в интересах пользователя.
It should, however, be borne in mind that often and in large quantities enable lean beef
in the diet promotes stress secretory function of the stomach, pancreas and liver.
Следует, однако, иметь в виду, что частое и в значительных количествах включение тощей говядины
в рацион питания способствует перенапряжению секреторной функции желудка, поджелудочной железы и печени.
Any of these viruses can cause acute hepatitis, but hepatitis B, C and
D viruses can also cause chronic infection that often results in cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Любой из этих вирусов может вызывать острый гепатит, но вирусы гепатита В,
С и D также могут вызывать хроническую инфекцию, которая часто приводит к циррозу и раку печени.
Rock climbing is a physically and mentally demanding sport, one that often tests a climber’s strength,
endurance, agility, and balance along with his or her mental control.
Скалодром является физически и психически требуя спорта, который часто испытаний альпинист сила,
выносливость, ловкость, равновесие и вместе с его или ее психического контроля.
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English
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Russian
Russian
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English
Frequently adverb — Many times.
Usage example: our oddball uncle frequently lets himself into our house without knocking
Show all Definitions
Synonyms for Frequently
Antonyms for Frequently
Often is a synonym for frequently in regularly topic. In some cases you can use «Often» instead the word «Frequently» as an adverb or an adjective, when it comes to topics like big, commonly. popular alternative
Nearby Words: frequent, frequency, frequenter, frequented, frequenting
Adverbs of Frequency
Always, usually, normally, generally, often, frequently, sometimes, occasionally, seldom, hardly ever, rarely, and never.
These are all adverbs and they describe how frequently we do an activity or the frequency of habits.
These are called Adverbs of Frequency or more specifically Adverbs of Indefinite Frequency. (Indefinite because it is NOT a specific frequency like three times a week, once a month, etc.)
To help you understand when to use each adverb of frequency, I will add some approximate numbers (percentages of frequency or possibility of it happening) to give you a general idea of the frequency associated with each adverb.
- 100% always
- 90% usually
- 80% normally / generally
- 70% often / frequently
- 50% sometimes
- 30% occasionally
- 10% seldom
- 5% hardly ever / rarely
- 0% never
IMPORTANT: The percentages that appear on the left are only approximate numbers to give you a general idea of the frequency associated with each adverb.
Let’s look at each adverb of frequency more in detail…
ALWAYS
When something happens 100% of the time, we use the adverb ALWAYS.
- I always brush my teeth at night.
This means that without exception 100% of the time I will brush my teeth at night before going to bed.
NEVER
What is the opposite of ALWAYS? … NEVER, which is 0% of the time.
- Vegetarians never eat meat.
This means there is a zero percent possible of this happening. The frequency is zero.
SOMETIMES
What adverb do we use when something happens half the time and the other half of the time it doesn’t happen?
When something has about a 50% frequency of happening. We use the adverb SOMETIMES.
- I sometimes sing in the shower.
This means half the time I am in the shower I sing, and half the time I don’t sing… I sometimes sing in the shower.
HARDLY EVER / RARELY
What can we use if we almost never do something? It’s not zero percent but maybe 5% possibility of it happening.
In this case we use the adverbs HARDLY EVER or RARELY.
- I hardly ever get angry.
OR you can say…
- I rarely get angry
They both mean the same thing.
This means there is a VERY small chance of it happening but it is almost never.
I hardly ever get angry. It usually only happens if you steal my chocolate from the fridge. Other than that, nothing else annoys me.
Let’s quickly look at the other adverbs of frequency.
USUALLY
USUALLY is when something happens around 90% of the time. It is almost always.
- I usually walk to work.
Yes, I live close to my place of work so I usually walk there.
NORMALLY / GENERALLY
NORMALLY or GENERALLY happen around 80% of the time.
- I normally get good marks.
Yes, about 80% of the time my marks are good, the rest of the time… they are excellent!
OFTEN / FREQUENTLY
When something has a frequency of around 70%, we use the adverbs OFTEN or FREQUENTLY
OFTEN can be pronounced two ways:
- By pronouncing the T … “OFTEN” … or
- By not pronouncing the T …”OFFEN” (Never write “Offen”)
Both forms are correct and depend on where you live.
Our examples of these adverbs are:
- I often read in bed at night.
which is the same as:
- I frequently read in bed at night.
The adverb OFTEN is more common than using the word FREQUENTLY.
OCCASIONALLY
The adverb Occasionally is at about 30% frequency.
- I occasionally go to bed late.
Yes, this happens on Friday and Saturday night. I occasionally go to bed late.
SELDOM
And the adverb Seldom is at around 10% frequency.
- I seldom add salt to my food.
Which means it is not common or not often that I add salt.
The adverbs Seldom, hardly ever, rarely, and never all have a negative meaning.
Adverbs of Frequency – Word Order
Let’s look at word order when we use adverbs of frequency.
In general, the adverb of frequency goes before the main verb.
The order is: Subject + Adverb + Main Verb
Let’s look at this sentence…
- I read in bed at night.
If I want to let you know about the frequency I do this, the frequency that I read in bed, then I need to use an adverb.
The main verb is READ, so we put the adverb before the verb READ…
- I often read in bed at night.
Another example:
- Daniel always passes his exams.
The main verb is PASSES so we put the adverb before it.
- They never speak Spanish in class.
The main verb is SPEAK so the adverb of frequency goes before it.
Adverbs of Frequency – Word Order with Auxiliary Verbs
When there is an auxiliary verb such as has, have, must, might, will, can, should, would, etc. followed by a main verb, then the adverb goes between them both.
Subject + Auxiliary Verb + Adverb + Main Verb
- I have done my homework.
HAVE is the auxiliary verb and DONE is the main verb so we put the adverb of frequency in the middle:
- I have always done my homework.
You can see it is the same rule as before, the adverb goes before the main verb. Just remember to put it after the auxiliary verb.
Look at this sentence:
- Susan has lived in New York.
HAS is the auxiliary verb and LIVED is the main verb so we put the adverb of frequency in the middle:
- Susan has always lived in New York.
Look at this example:
- I have never eaten dog food.
The adverb NEVER goes between the auxiliary verb HAVE and the main verb EATEN.
- I have never eaten dog food… that I know of.
Adverbs of Frequency – Word Order with TO BE
Of course in English there is always an exception and this happens with the verb TO BE.
When we want to use an adverb with the verb TO BE, then the order is:
Subject + TO BE + Adverb
Look at this sentence:
- I am busy at work.
AM is a form, or conjugation, of the verb TO BE so we put the adverb after it.
- I am normally busy at work.
We cannot say “I normally am busy at work.” NO, this is NOT correct.
- He is always happy.
Again, the adverb is after the form of To Be.
- They are sometimes late.
The adverb SOMETIMES comes after the verb ARE which is a form of TO BE.
Adverbs of frequency at the beginning of a sentence
We have just seen the common position of adverbs of frequency within a sentence.
But, it is also possible to place SOME adverbs at the beginning of a sentence.
These adverbs include: usually, normally, frequently, generally, occasionally, and sometimes.
Look at these examples:
- Occasionally I have pancakes for breakfast.
OR you can put the adverb between the subject and main verb:
- I occasionally have pancakes for breakfast.
Both sentences are correct.
- Normally our English class is in the morning.
- Sometimes they take a bus to work.
But be careful with always, hardly ever, seldom, rarely, and never …. Do NOT put them at the beginning of the sentence.
- Always I get up early. This is NOT correct.
We need to put ALWAYS before the main verb…
- I always get up early. (CORRECT)
The exception to this is when we are using ALWAYS or NEVER in the IMPERATIVE to give orders or instructions.
We will see more about this in another lesson.
Next activity
You might want to watch our other video about Adverbs of DEFINITE frequency.
Summary Chart
I hope you found this English lesson about adverbs of frequency useful. If you did, please let other people know about us!
Have an awesome day!
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∙ 11y ago
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Try «Obsessive»
The correct word that would mean to do something often would be
«frequently».
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Frequently occurring events can also be described as happening often. Can it also be said they are happening oftentimes? While both the words are adverbs, only often can be written before and after a verb. That makes often the modern, smaller, useful and multipurpose word. So, the question remains, why even bother using oftentimes?
With the help of this article, I will illustrate the difference between the two words, highlighting their contextual meanings. At end, I would explain a useful trick to help you utilize them accurately in your writing instantly.
Origin:
Oftentimes originated from late Middle English: extended form of oft-times, influenced by often.
Oftentimes as adverb:
The term oftentimes is used as an adverb in archaic or North American English in the form of often. It means frequently or commonly occurring.
Examples:
Oftentimes, these business ventures net them more than their paychecks from the screen or stage. [Forbes]
A supermajority, typically of two-thirds of shareholders, is oftentimes required to approve a merger or acquisition. [National Post]
The crowd was quite animated, oftentimes cheering and oftentimes yelling out in disgust. [Captain Jack for President, John Jones]
But oftentimes, he has to acknowledge that his life is governed by a double standard. [AV Club]
Oftentimes they lack the resources to hire additional staff to help tackle necessary tasks. [Newsday]
Positive rap, like political rap, is oftentimes not as commercial as gangsta or materialistic rap. [Rap Therapy, Don Elligan]
Use of often times:
Even though, the word often has numerous alternatives, often times is not one of those and if the words ‘often’ and ‘times’ are written separately, and not jointly as shown in above illustrations, they give an entirely different meaning to the sentence.
Examples:
Often, times change faster than the people who live in them.
Oftentimes or often times:
Often is a shortened version of the bigger word oftentimes and they both are adverbs that act as synonym for the word frequently. They have the same mean but often is preferred due to its shortness but often times is not the same as ‘often’ and ‘oftentimes’. Remember, the space between the two words make it completely irrelevant to its definition.
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#1
There is also the case with using often and oftenly etc.
For example rude ande rudely to make the case clearer.
A person may be rude but he will speak rudely.
I think that the same rule should apply to often and oftenly…, I mean that people oftenly use «often» when it’s needed to use «oftenly»
or there is no big difference in this in your opinion?
Thanks
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#2
Forget ‘oftenly’.
None of the standard dictionaries searched
here
accept it as an English word.
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#3
No we do not say oftenly in standard English.
It is not even a variation I have ever heard in any dialect, are you sure you have met this?
In any case do not use it!
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#4
There is an adjective ‘frequent’ if you need it: you can’t use ‘often’ as an adjective. The adverbs ‘often’ and ‘frequently’ mean the same, and as others have said, there is no word ‘oftenly’.
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#5
There is a neat parallel here:
Rude is an adjective and rudely is an adverb.
Often is not an adjective and oftenly is not an adverb.
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#6
Don’t imagine that all adverbs must end in -ly; there are many that don’t: soon, well, fast… and often.
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#7
Thank you, and I’m sorry about giving the example with oftenly which I must admit I didn’t know it didn’t exist )
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#8
But for other example the word bad and badly. Are you sure you can use the word bad the same way you use badly?
You can’t say that something is done bad, can you?
You can say that something is done badly (or in a bad way), right?
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#9
But for other example the word bad and badly. Are you sure you can use the word bad the same way you use badly? No, and nobody suggested that.
You can’t say that something is done bad, can you? No.
You can say that something is done badly (or in a bad way), right? Right.
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#10
But for other example the word bad and badly. Are you sure you can use the word bad the same way you use badly?
Has anyone said this? You must be misunderstanding something.
I think you need to read the answers carefully. We are talking to you about different word classes, in this case adjectives and adverbs. Adjectives are used to modify nouns and adverbs are used to modify verbs.
«You can’t say that something is done bad» — you are correct. We use the adverb form BADLY
«You can say that something is done badly» — yes you are correct.
In this case we are looking at adverbs and adjectives.
Rude is the adjective form, rudely is the adverb form of the same idea.
Often is an adverb: We often see birds on the trees. The word often is modifying the verb to see.
We can usually make an adverb from an adjective by adding the -ly ending.
rude — adjective e.g. he is a rude boy)
rudely — adverb e.g. he spoke very rudely
But not all words in the class can be paired up that way. That is what Keith has said. He has not said that we can never do it, because of course we can OFTEN do it! But you cannot do it with some examples.
OFTEN is an adverb that has not got an adjective form.
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#11
Flying Dutch, only some of adverbs can be used as adjectives(and vice versa) in the same form.
I can offer you one of many sources for adverbs and adjectives. May be it will help you.