are often not

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence 'are often not' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence when you want to show a comparison between two things that do not usually go together. For example, "Opinions on certain topics are often not uniform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Images are often not online.

The New York Times

But they are often not employed correctly.

The New York Times

Her words are often not very melodious.

The New York Times - Books

These measurements are often not available online.

Journal of Process Control

Waitlist rankings are often not available.

Stanford University

"Their stories are often not rich enough.

The New York Times

Even salary rises are often not enough.

The Guardian

Others, like petroleum production, are often not.

The New York Times

Being honest, they are often not good.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

These assumptions, however, are often not met in practice.

Journal of Multivariate Analysis

Detaining and retaining nutrients are often not a design focus.

Ecological Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are often not", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the exceptions are or under what conditions the statement might not hold true. This adds precision and avoids overgeneralizations.

Common error

Avoid using "are often not" when describing something that is never the case. This phrase implies a degree of variability, so it's inappropriate for absolute negatives. Use "are never" or "are not at all" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are often not" functions as a qualifier, indicating a degree of negation or infrequency. It modifies a statement by suggesting that it is generally not true, but with possible exceptions. This is reflected in Ludwig's examples which shows that "images", "measurements" and "stories" and many other things "are often not" enough or available or rich.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

51%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are often not" is a versatile qualifier indicating that something is frequently untrue or absent but with exceptions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. As shown in the real-world examples that Ludwig provided, this expression works perfectly in academic papers, news articles, and more. To enhance clarity, consider the context and potential for misinterpretation and adjust the phrasing as needed. Alternatives like "are frequently not" or "are usually not" can add nuances, ensuring precise communication. Remember, avoid using it in absolute statements, as it implies variability. By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, you can use "are often not" effectively to express uncertainty and avoid overgeneralizations in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are usually not

Implies that something is generally, but not always, absent or untrue.

are typically not

Similar to "usually not", suggesting a common but not universal absence.

are frequently not

Replaces "often" with "frequently", suggesting a high occurrence of the negative condition.

are commonly not

Indicates that something is not common, but still occurs sometimes.

are not always

Indicates that something is not true in every instance, implying occasional exceptions.

are not generally

Suggests that something is not true or applicable in most situations.

do not often

Changes the structure to emphasize the action rather than the state, but retains the meaning.

are infrequently

A more formal way to express that something doesn't happen frequently.

are rarely

Indicates that something almost never happens or is almost never true.

are seldom

Similar to "rarely", denoting infrequent occurrence.

FAQs

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

Use "are often not" to indicate that something is not frequently the case, but exceptions exist. For example, "Assumptions "are often not" based on facts" suggests that assumptions can sometimes be factual.

What's a more formal alternative to "are often not"?

More formal alternatives include "are frequently not", "are usually not", or "are typically not", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is often not" instead of "are often not"?

The choice between "is" and "are" depends on the subject's number. Use "is" with singular subjects (e.g., "The result is often not what we expect") and "are" with plural subjects (e.g., "The results "are often not" conclusive").

How does "are often not" differ from "are not always"?

"Are often not" suggests a higher likelihood of the negative condition than "are not always". The first implies it's usually false or absent, while the second simply indicates it's not always true or present, allowing for a wider range of possibilities.