are often used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are often used" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something is generally or frequently done, a commonly accepted practice, or a prevalent occurrence. For example: Computers are often used to stream digital media.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Acronyms are often used and useful.

WikiHow

Remittances are often used to fund schooling.

The Economist

Both types are often used interchangeably.

The New York Times

The two are often used interchangeably.

Harvard Business Review

"Facilitation" and "mediation" are often used interchangeably.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Ratios are often used to communicate risk.

Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes

Drugs like Demerol and Valium are often used.

The New York Times

The voices, Dr. Romme said, are often used as advisers.

The New York Times - Science

Such demands are often used as negotiating tactics.

The New York Times - Sports

Sausages are often used as a background flavor.

The New York Times - Food

■ NCDs are often used as a retention tool by insurers.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are often used", ensure that the subject of the sentence is clearly defined and that the context provides sufficient information on why the items are frequently employed.

Common error

Avoid using "are often used" with vague or unspecified subjects. For example, instead of saying "Things are often used in this process", specify which things are being referred to, such as "Specific tools are often used in this process".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are often used" functions as a passive construction indicating that the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action. This construction is utilized to emphasize what is being acted upon rather than who or what is performing the action. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, highlighting the general applicability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are often used" serves as a versatile tool in English writing, denoting that something is a common practice or a frequent occurrence. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically sound and widely applicable. Analysis of example sentences reveals that this phrase is particularly prevalent in "News & Media", "Science", and "Encyclopedias", suggesting its use across a broad range of contexts. When employing "are often used", ensure clarity by specifying the subject and providing sufficient context. While alternatives like "are commonly utilized" or "are frequently employed" exist, the core meaning remains consistent: highlighting the frequency with which something is employed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are frequently employed

Replaces "often" with "frequently" and "used" with "employed", suggesting a formal or technical application.

are commonly utilized

Substitutes "often" with "commonly" and "used" with "utilized", implying general and practical use.

are generally applied

Replaces "often used" with "generally applied", indicating a widespread or standard application.

are regularly implemented

Changes "often used" to "regularly implemented", suggesting a structured or routine application.

are typically adopted

Replaces "often used" with "typically adopted", emphasizing a common or usual choice.

are widely practiced

Substitutes "often used" with "widely practiced", highlighting a common or established action.

are habitually exercised

Changes "often used" to "habitually exercised", implying a customary or routine action.

are repeatedly leveraged

Replaces "often used" with "repeatedly leveraged", suggesting a frequent or strategic use.

tend to be used

Uses "tend to be used" to express a common or typical occurrence, rather than a strict rule.

are subject to frequent use

This alternative emphasizes that something is exposed to "frequent use" by someone.

FAQs

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

You can use "are often used" to indicate that something is a common practice or a frequent occurrence. For example, "Computers "are often used" for data analysis".

What are some alternatives to "are often used"?

Some alternatives include "are commonly utilized", "are frequently employed", or "are generally applied", depending on the context.

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

Yes, "are often used" implies a frequent but not constant occurrence, while "are always used" suggests that something is used in every instance without exception.

What determines whether something "is often used"?

Frequency of use determines if something "is often used". The context, application, and common practices contribute to the determination of how often something is employed.