Not often

USAGE SUMMARY

"not often" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, "I don't go to the beach very often" or "I'm not often late for work." You can use it when you want to express something that does not happen frequently.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not often enough.

The New York Times - Sports

Not often, no.

The New York Times

Not often – but sometimes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not often enough, though.

The New York Times

Not often the cancer itself.

The Guardian

Not often though.' He shrugs.

The Guardian - Music

Not often.

The New York Times

Not often, he understated.

TechCrunch

(Not often the case).

TechCrunch

Not often, at least.

Los Angeles Times

Not often, friends.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not often", consider the context. For stronger emphasis on rarity, use "rarely" or "seldom". For less formal situations, "hardly ever" or "scarcely ever" can add impact.

Common error

Avoid overusing "not often" when more specific adverbs like "rarely" or "seldom" provide better clarity and stylistic variation. Choose the word that best reflects the degree of infrequency you intend to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not often" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the infrequency of an action or event. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase to express something that does not happen frequently.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not often" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that something doesn't occur frequently. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts. While alternatives like "rarely" or "seldom" might offer more concise or formal options, "not often" provides a clear and readily understood way to express infrequency. Its prevalence in news, science, and encyclopedic sources underscores its broad applicability and acceptance in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not frequently

A more literal rephrasing of "not often", suitable for emphasis.

rarely

A more concise way of saying "not often", implying something happens very infrequently.

seldom

Similar to rarely, but with a slightly more formal tone.

infrequently

A more formal and direct synonym for "not often".

uncommonly

Highlights the atypical nature of the event, suggesting it's unusual.

hardly ever

Emphasizes the rarity of an event, suggesting it almost never occurs.

scarcely ever

Similar to hardly ever, indicating a very low probability of occurrence.

on rare occasions

Highlights that something happens only in exceptional circumstances.

not on a regular basis

Emphasizes the lack of a consistent pattern or frequency.

once in a blue moon

An idiomatic expression meaning something happens extremely rarely.

FAQs

How can I use "not often" in a sentence?

You can use "not often" to indicate that something does not happen frequently. For example, "I do "not often" go to the cinema" or "She is "not often" late for work".

What are some alternatives to "not often"?

Some alternatives to "not often" include "rarely", "seldom", "infrequently", or "hardly ever". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "not often" or "rarely"?

Both "not often" and "rarely" are correct, but "rarely" is more concise and implies a greater degree of infrequency. "Not often" can sometimes be used for emphasis or to soften the statement.

What's the difference between "not often" and "not always"?

"Not often" refers to the frequency of an event, indicating that it does not happen frequently. "Not always", on the other hand, means that something does not happen in every instance or situation. For example, "I am "not often" at home" means I am usually out, while "I am "not always" happy" means that sometimes I am sad.