I used to often

USAGE SUMMARY

"I used to often" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to an activity or habit that one used to do in the past, but no longer does. Example: I used to often go to that cafe, but I stopped after they changed owners.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I used to often listen to the radio with my sister Angela.

The Guardian

Roisin, 30, Paris I used to often spend Saturday nights near the Republic square (near the Bataclan) and I was shocked to see how empty it was, months after the attacks.

The Guardian

I used to often feel, "What can I do, what can I do?" And I used to think that, "You know my skill sets lie in communications — that's what I have learned in the work that I do.

The New York Times

I used to often say to myself, 'I'm being paid to do something that I enjoy doing and I would do it for free,' because it just felt so good doing it.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Needless to say, I don't moderate the comments nearly as often as I used to!

The New York Times - Tech

I've been there but it's not somewhere I used to go often.

The Guardian - Sport

Growing up, I used to declare, often, how bad I was at math.

Vice

"I used to draw often for her and ship gifts directly to her home, like flowers or other kinds of goodies.

Huffington Post

I used to count how often before, but now I don't.' Does your daughter know?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I used to hang out often at Brasserie Du Commerce – a good place to go for a drink.

The Guardian - Travel

I used to consult it often, as a sort of navigation aid.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I used to often", ensure that the context clearly indicates a past habit that is no longer practiced. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid using additional time-related adverbs that duplicate the meaning of "used to". For example, "I used to often do that back then" is redundant; "I used to often do that" is sufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I used to often" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the frequency of a past action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, though alternative structures might be more common.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I used to often" is grammatically correct, although slightly less common than alternatives like "I often used to". As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's employed to describe past habits, primarily within news and media contexts. While perfectly usable, writers should be mindful of potential redundancy and consider alternative word orders for improved clarity. Remember to make sure that the context clearly expresses a past habit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I often used to

Reverses the order of 'often' and 'used to'.

I regularly used to

Substitutes 'often' with 'regularly' implying a consistent pattern.

I frequently used to

Replaces 'often' with 'frequently', indicating a high occurrence rate.

I customarily used to

Replaces 'often' with 'customarily', suggesting the action was a usual practice.

I would often

Uses 'would' to describe a past habit.

I was in the habit of often

Emphasizes the habitual nature of the action with a more formal tone.

I had a tendency to often

Highlights a natural inclination or tendency to perform the action.

I was accustomed to often

Indicates a state of being used to or familiar with doing something.

I made it a habit to often

Highlights a conscious decision to make the action a habit.

I was wont to often

Uses 'wont' (archaic), implying a habitual action.

FAQs

What is the difference between "I often used to" and "I used to often"?

"I often used to" and "I used to often" are similar, but "I often used to" is generally considered more grammatically conventional. The placement of "often" can subtly change the emphasis, but both express a past habit. The option "I often used to" is a slightly better option.

Is "I used to often" grammatically correct?

Ludwig AI considers "I used to often" grammatically correct and usable in written English, although less common than alternatives. It indicates a past habit that is no longer current.

What are some alternatives to "I used to often"?

Alternatives include "I often used to", "I frequently used to", or "I would often". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "I used to often" in a sentence?

You can use "I used to often" to describe a repeated action or state in the past that you no longer do. For example: "I used to often visit my grandmother, but now she lives too far away."