I often like

USAGE SUMMARY

"I often like" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express a general preference or enjoyment of something that occurs frequently. Example: I often like to start my day with a cup of coffee.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

If you are an experienced professional offering up a specialised skill or service as a volunteer, I often like to call it "pro bono" instead.

The Guardian

AHH! I'LL HAVE TO SMASH THE FIRE OUT WITH THE EXTINGUISHER ITSELF! smash smash smash shatter smash crash crush shatter smash [Pause.] After a vigorous session in the kitchen, I often like to relax and recharge by taking what I call a "mini vacation," as I'm doing now.

The New Yorker

The strategy I often like to take is that if the bonds get down low enough, they often have the best risk-return characteristics.

Forbes

I often like to imagine what might have been if I were in Miss Barth's shoes.

Huffington Post

Saturday mornings I often like to sleep in on Saturdays and then get up, eat a leisurely breakfast, then head down to the treadmill for marathon training.

Huffington Post

When I watch TV, I often like to do it with Twitter (particularly events like the Eurovision Song contest or the Olympics).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The imperfect truth, eight years later, is that "I" often seems like all we have.

The New Yorker

You get told that university is nothing like school, but I often feel like I am back on the playground.

Huffington Post

I often felt like I was stuck in a bubble, or like I wasn't really going anywhere.

Vice

Hey, I often feel like cursing too.

The New York Times

I often felt like a firefighter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by placing "often" in different positions, such as "I like to often..." or "Often, I like...". However, "I often like" is the most common and natural-sounding construction.

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying too heavily on "I often like" can make your writing sound repetitive. Use synonyms like "I frequently enjoy" or "I tend to prefer" to add variety and sophistication to your expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I often like" functions as a statement of habitual preference. It communicates that the speaker or writer regularly enjoys or favors something. Ludwig examples show its common use in expressing personal preferences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I often like" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express habitual preferences. Ludwig's analysis indicates it's most frequently found in news and media contexts, suitable for neutral registers, though more formal alternatives exist for professional settings. While versatile, avoid overuse to keep your writing engaging. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase effectively conveys recurring enjoyment or inclination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I frequently enjoy

Replaces "often like" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the enjoyment aspect.

I tend to prefer

Shifts the focus to a tendency or preference, rather than direct enjoyment.

I am keen on

Uses a British English idiom to express enthusiasm or liking.

I am generally fond of

Uses a more descriptive and somewhat formal way to express liking something.

I have a penchant for

Indicates a strong liking or inclination towards something.

I habitually do

Focuses on the habitual aspect of the action, omitting explicit mention of liking.

I am accustomed to enjoying

Highlights the aspect of being used to or familiar with enjoying something.

It is my usual practice to

Presents the action as a routine or established practice.

I have a habit of enjoying

Points out that there is a habitual action of enjoying something.

I am wont to

Employs an archaic expression to denote a habitual action.

FAQs

What does "I often like" mean?

The phrase "I often like" indicates a recurring preference or enjoyment. It means you typically or frequently find pleasure in or favor a particular thing or activity.

What can I say instead of "I often like"?

You can use alternatives like "I frequently enjoy", "I tend to prefer", or "I generally enjoy" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I often like to"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. The inclusion of "to" after "like" depends on the verb that follows, creating an infinitive phrase (e.g. "I often like to read").

How formal is the phrase "I often like"?

The phrase "I often like" is generally considered neutral in formality. It is suitable for both informal and semi-formal contexts, but in highly formal situations, consider using alternatives that sound more sophisticated such as "I frequently enjoy".