are often

USAGE SUMMARY

"are often" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to describe something that occurs frequently or regularly. You can use it to indicate a common behavior, habit, or occurrence. For example: - "Children are often curious about the world around them." - "Rainy days are often accompanied by thunder and lightning." - "People are often quick to judge based on appearances." - "I find that I am often tired in the mornings." - "Students are often overwhelmed by the workload in college."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

REPEATS are often disappointing.

The Economist

Announcers are often workhorses.

The New York Times

Telephones are often tapped.

The Economist

Solutions are often elaborate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are often overbooked.

The Economist

"Values are often relative".

The New Yorker

Successes are often fleeting.

The Economist

Inventions are often unintended.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are often prickly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are often secrets.

The New York Times

They are often brutalized.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are often" to describe recurring behaviors, characteristics, or events. For example, "Mistakes are often the best learning opportunities."

Common error

While "are often" is perfectly acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms like "frequently", "generally", or "typically" to add nuance and sophistication to your prose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are often" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, indicating the frequency with which an action occurs or a state exists. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

21%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

15%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are often" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate frequency or common occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage and acceptability. It appears most frequently in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki articles, showcasing its versatility across different registers. When writing, consider varying your sentence structure to avoid overuse, and be mindful of the context to ensure the tone is appropriate. For alternatives, phrases like "frequently occur" or "tend to be" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more often than not are

A more emphatic way of saying "are often".

generally are

Similar to "are often" but with a slightly broader scope.

in most cases are

Specifies that something is true in the majority of instances.

frequently occur

Replaces "are often" with a verb phrase emphasizing the occurrence of something.

typically found

Highlights the typical discovery or presence of something.

commonly happen

Emphasizes the common nature of an event.

as a rule are

Implies a general rule or pattern.

tend to be

Indicates a tendency or inclination rather than a strict frequency.

characteristically are

Emphasizes that something is a characteristic trait.

usually exist

Focuses on the existence of something under normal circumstances.

FAQs

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

Use "are often" to indicate that something happens frequently or is commonly true. For example, "Prices "are often lower" during the off-season".

What's a more formal way to say "are often"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "frequently are", "generally are", or "typically are" instead of "are often".

What can I say instead of "are often" to show something happens less frequently?

To indicate something happens less frequently, use alternatives like "are seldom", "are rarely", or "are infrequently".

Is there a difference between "are often" and "often are"?

While both phrases can be grammatically correct, "are often" is more common and natural-sounding. "Often are" might be used for emphasis or in specific grammatical constructions, but it's generally less preferred.