but more often

USAGE SUMMARY

'but more often' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used when introducing a contrasting but related idea, as in the sentence, "I like to go to the beach in summer, but more often I go to the lake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But more often it's merely absurd.

The New York Times

But more often, Mr. Cuomo calls you.

The New York Times

But, more often, you're writing "Beethoven".

The New Yorker

He pitched fewer innings, but more often.

The New York Times

But, more often, it's not.

The New York Times

But more often, it doesn't.

The Guardian - Music

But more often it has been terrifying.

The New Yorker

But more often now, the artists return.

The New York Times - Arts

But more often she played the rube.

The New York Times - Books

But more often they were annoying.

The New York Times - Travel

But more often he does not.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but more often" to introduce a contrasting scenario that is more likely or typical than the previously mentioned one. This helps to set realistic expectations or provide a more accurate depiction of events.

Common error

Avoid using "but more often" when the contrasting scenario is not significantly more frequent or probable than the first. Ensure there's a clear difference in frequency to justify its use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but more often" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects two contrasting ideas, emphasizing that the second idea occurs with greater frequency. This function is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but more often" is a grammatically sound and frequently used conjunctive phrase that serves to introduce a contrasting scenario that occurs with greater frequency. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its prevalence in news and media sources indicates its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure that the contrasting situation is indeed more typical or likely than the one previously mentioned to maintain clarity and accuracy in communication. Remember, there are alternatives such as "however more frequently" or "yet more typically" if a subtle change in emphasis is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however more frequently

Replaces "but" with "however" and "often" with "frequently" to indicate a contrast and increased frequency.

yet more typically

Substitutes "but" with "yet" and "often" with "typically", offering a similar contrast but with a sense of commonality.

though more commonly

Uses "though" instead of "but" and "commonly" instead of "often", suggesting a slight difference in emphasis.

although more usually

Replaces "but" with "although" and "often" with "usually", creating a slightly more formal tone.

instead more regularly

Shifts the focus from contrast to replacement with "instead" and "regularly" for "often", indicating a consistent alternative.

on the other hand, more repeatedly

Adds "on the other hand" for emphasis and replaces "often" with "repeatedly", stressing the recurring nature.

conversely more habitually

Uses "conversely" to highlight the contrast and "habitually" to emphasize the routine aspect of the alternative.

rather more consistently

Employs "rather" to soften the contrast and "consistently" to underline the steadiness of the alternative.

in contrast, more constantly

Highlights the opposition using "in contrast" and stresses the continuous nature of the alternative with "constantly".

by comparison, more recurrently

Introduces a comparison using "by comparison" and emphasizes the recurring nature of the alternative with "recurrently".

FAQs

How can I use "but more often" in a sentence?

Use "but more often" to introduce a contrasting situation that occurs with greater frequency. For example, "I enjoy going to the cinema, "but more often" I watch movies at home".

What are some alternatives to "but more often"?

Alternatives include "however more frequently", "yet more typically", or "though more commonly", depending on the desired nuance.

Is there a difference between "but more often" and "but usually"?

"But more often" implies a statistical frequency, while "but usually" suggests a typical occurrence. "I try to cook elaborate meals, "but more often" I end up ordering takeout" indicates frequency, whereas "I plan to exercise daily, but usually I skip a day" describes a typical pattern.

When is it appropriate to use "but more often than not" instead of "but more often"?

"But more often than not" is suitable when emphasizing that the contrasting situation is overwhelmingly more common. For example, "I hope to get eight hours of sleep, "but more often than not" I only get six" conveys a stronger sense of frequency than "but more often".