Very often

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Very often" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a frequency of occurrence that is higher than "often" but not as high as "always." Example: "I very often go for a run in the morning before work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Very often I'm away.

The New York Times

Very often they do.

The Economist

"Very often they start crying.

The New York Times

"Very often stuff goes unspoken.

The New York Times

"Very often, you go native".

The New Yorker

Very often, they were.

Forbes

Very often, they fail.

Huffington Post

Very often it's embarrassment.

BMC Women's Health

Very often.

The New York Times

Very often, this is Malware.

WikiHow

"But not very often".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very often" to indicate a higher frequency than "often" but less than "always". For example, "I go to the gym very often, about three times a week."

Common error

While "very often" is acceptable, overuse of "very" can weaken writing. Consider replacing it with a stronger adverb or rephrasing the sentence for a more impactful effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very often" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the frequency with which an action occurs, similar to adverbs like 'frequently' or 'regularly'. As per Ludwig AI, it is considered correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "very often" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression to denote a high degree of frequency, according to Ludwig AI. Its versatile nature makes it suitable for a wide range of contexts, particularly within news media, wiki, and scientific writing. Alternatives like "quite frequently" or "pretty regularly" can be used to add variety to writing. When utilizing "very often", it's important to ensure it accurately conveys the intended frequency and to avoid overusing "very" to maintain impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Quite frequently

Emphasizes frequency to a slightly lesser degree than "very often".

On many occasions

Highlights the number of times something happens rather than the frequency.

Pretty regularly

Indicates a consistent pattern with a slightly informal tone.

With great regularity

Highlights the consistent and predictable nature of the occurrence.

More often than not

Suggests that something happens in the majority of cases.

A good deal of the time

Focuses on the proportion of time something occurs.

On numerous instances

Stresses multiple separate occurrences.

Remarkably often

Adds an element of surprise at the frequency of the event.

Recurringly

Highlights the repeated nature of the event.

Time and again

Suggests that something happens repetitively.

FAQs

How can I use "very often" in a sentence?

"Very often" is used to describe an action or event that occurs frequently. For example, "They visit their grandparents "very often"."

What are some alternatives to "very often"?

Alternatives to "very often" include phrases like "quite frequently", "pretty regularly", or "on many occasions".

Is it more correct to say "very often" or "often"?

Both "often" and "very often" are correct. "Very often" simply indicates a higher degree of frequency than "often" does. The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to convey.

What is the difference between "very often" and "frequently"?

"Very often" and "frequently" are quite similar in meaning, both indicating that something happens regularly. "Frequently" might be considered slightly more formal than "very often".