but often do not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but often do not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something frequently occurs, but there are exceptions where it does not happen. Example: "Many people intend to exercise regularly, but often do not follow through with their plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Many such companies offer money-back guarantees but often do not pay them.

The New York Times

In Britain, where central Europeans are supposed to register before seeking work, but often do not, there are (supposedly) only 95 Polish plumbers.

The Economist

In similar cases, he said, penalties from the N.C.A.A. typically affect recruiting or scholarships, but often do not include a postseason ban.

The New York Times - Sports

Laxatives can relieve the constipation but often do not help with the pain, said Dr. Chey, who is a consultant to Ironwood.

The New York Times

Moreover, the methods sections of papers are supposed to provide enough information for others to replicate an experiment, but often do not.

The Economist

Surgeons who lack expertise in ovarian cancer should refer women to specialists if the women are suspected to have the disease, but often do not, Dr. Goff said.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Our panel of experts agreed that one thing the CV needs to communicate?but often doesn't?is your motivation.

Science Magazine

"Ayurveda says things we all know but often don't practise," Bharadwaj says.

Independent

"Lots of universities are now making unconditional offers but often don't publicise it.

The Guardian

We must take the same kind of care others should (but often don't) in making and acting on decisions.

The New York Times

Countries recognize the need for regulatory framework for crops but often don't have one themselves.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but often do not", ensure the contrast between the expected action and the actual behavior is clear to enhance readability.

Common error

Avoid using "but often do not" in overly passive constructions. Instead, focus on active subjects to make your writing more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "Mistakes are often made, but often do not get corrected", write "People often make mistakes, but often do not correct them".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but often do not" functions as a conjunction phrase that introduces a contrast or exception to a preceding statement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates that something frequently happens or is expected, but there are instances where it doesn't occur.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but often do not" is a grammatically correct and widely used conjunction phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread applicability. It serves to introduce a contrast or exception, highlighting that while something may frequently occur or be expected, it doesn't always happen. Its neutral register and usage across various authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist make it a versatile tool in writing. When employing this phrase, clarity and context are key to effectively convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but frequently fail to

Replaces "often do not" with a stronger emphasis on failure to act.

but commonly neglect to

Substitutes "often do not" with a focus on neglecting or overlooking something.

but do not always

Replaces "often" with "always" to shift the meaning towards an exception rather than a common occurrence.

but regularly fall short of

Indicates a consistent inability to meet a certain standard or expectation.

but generally do not manage to

Emphasizes the difficulty in achieving a particular outcome.

but typically do not succeed in

Focuses on the lack of success in completing an action.

but rarely accomplish

Highlights the infrequency of achieving a specific goal or outcome.

but seldom achieve

Replaces "often" with "seldom" to convey a sense of rarity.

but infrequently bring about

Stresses the rare occurrence of causing or producing a particular result.

yet routinely miss

Emphasizes a habitual failure to capitalize on an opportunity or meet a requirement.

FAQs

How can I use "but often do not" in a sentence?

Use "but often do not" to express a contrast between an expected action or outcome and what actually happens. For example, "Companies create security policies, but often do not enforce them effectively."

What are some alternatives to "but often do not"?

You can use alternatives like "but frequently fail to", "but commonly neglect to", or "but do not always" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "but often do not"?

Yes, "but often do not" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and is widely used in both formal and informal writing.

What's the difference between "but often do not" and "but rarely do"?

"But often do not" suggests that something is expected to happen but frequently doesn't, while "but rarely do" implies that something happens very infrequently. The difference lies in the degree of frequency.