but often that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but often that" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to contrast two ideas, but it lacks context and clarity. Example: "The project is challenging, but often that is what leads to the most rewarding outcomes."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

"But often that doesn't fit reality.

The New York Times

But often that isn't the case.

The New York Times

But often, that turns out to be wrong.

The New York Times

But often that approach descends into banality and platitudes.

The New Yorker

But often that leads to just the opposite.

The New York Times

Sadly, that's not happening so much now, because people can't afford it, but often that was a transformative period.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

But very often that is the impression you get.

Independent

But most often that's not the case.

The New York Times - Arts

But too often that was taken to extremes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But very often that's what's lauded as great acting: 'Look at me working!

The Guardian

But too often, that is not the case.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the "that" refers to a clearly defined subject in the previous sentence to avoid ambiguity when using the phrase "but often that".

Common error

Avoid using "but often that" without a clear antecedent for "that". Ensure the reader can easily identify what "that" refers to. Rephrase to include the specific subject or action to enhance clarity. For example: Instead of "The plan seemed foolproof, but often that failed", write "The plan seemed foolproof, but the implementation often failed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but often that" functions as a conjunction phrase introducing a contrast or qualification to a preceding statement. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not grammatically correct and needs contextual support for its meaning to be clear.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but often that" is a conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrast or qualification. However, Ludwig AI highlights that it's grammatically questionable and requires careful contextualization for clarity. It is frequently used in news and media, but its informal nature makes it less suitable for formal or professional contexts. To improve your writing, ensure "that" has a clear reference or consider alternatives like "however, that frequently occurs" or rephrase to include the specific subject being discussed. By clarifying the reference and using more precise language, you can enhance the effectiveness of your writing and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however, that often happens

Adds a more explicit subject and verb, improving grammatical clarity.

but that frequently occurs

Replaces "often" with "frequently" and uses stronger verb.

yet that is often the case

Uses "yet" for contrast and rephrases to emphasize typicality.

although that sometimes happens

Substitutes "although" for "but" and adds "sometimes" for a similar meaning.

though that may not always be true

Introduces a caveat, clarifying that the preceding statement might not always hold.

in many cases, that is so

Shifts the focus to generality, replacing "often" with "in many cases".

that is commonly seen

Focuses on the observation or commonality of an event or situation.

that is a frequent occurrence

Replaces the conjunction with a direct statement about frequency.

that is a common result

Highlights the outcome or consequence as a frequent one.

more often than not, that is true

Emphasizes the likelihood of the statement being correct.

FAQs

How can I make the phrase "but often that" more grammatically sound?

To improve the grammar, replace "that" with a specific noun or clause that it refers to, or rephrase the sentence for clarity. For example, instead of "but often that", use "but often the result is different" or "but that outcome is rare".

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

In formal writing, replace "but often that" with phrases like "however, that frequently occurs", "nevertheless, that is often the case", or "yet that is a common outcome". Consider also "however", "nevertheless", or "nonetheless" followed by a clearer statement.

Is "but often that" considered grammatically correct in English?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "but often that" is considered grammatically incorrect due to its vague structure and dependence on context. While it appears in various sources, it can often be improved for clarity and precision.

What are some alternatives to "but often that" that maintain a similar meaning?

You can use alternatives such as "but that frequently happens", "but that's often the case", or "however, that is often the result". Consider rephrasing to specify what "that" refers to for enhanced clarity.