far too often

USAGE SUMMARY

"far too often" is both correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize how frequent something has happened. For example, "The town has been suffering from power outages far too often lately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Awesome indeed, yet far too often overlooked.

The New York Times - Travel

It happens far too often.

The Guardian - Money

A phrase I use far too often.

Independent

Far too often it's not even considered.

The New York Times

"I've seen it far too often.

The New York Times - Sports

A phrase I use far too often... "That's amazing".

Independent

Far too often, these use levity to make their point.

The New York Times

Far too often, people conflate looks with class.

The New Yorker

A phrase I use far too often is... "Absolutely".

Independent

Now, perhaps these goals are far too often attained.

The New York Times

A phrase I use far too often... "That's crazy".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far too often" to emphasize that something happens more than it should, especially when expressing concern or disapproval. For example, "Mistakes happen "far too often" in this department; we need to implement better training."

Common error

While "far too often" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound less formal. In academic or professional contexts, consider alternatives like "excessively frequent" or "unduly frequent" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "far too often" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the frequency of an action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and emphasizes the excessive nature of the frequency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "far too often" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that emphasizes the excessive occurrence of an event or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly acceptable in written English. While it fits comfortably in a neutral register, one should consider more formal alternatives like "excessively frequent" in highly formal contexts. The phrase commonly appears in News & Media, followed by Formal & Business and Scientific sources. Using "far too often" effectively involves recognizing the importance of conveying that an action happens more than it should. The phrase helps to express a critical perspective when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

much too frequently

Replaces "often" with "frequently" and "far" with "much", emphasizing the high rate of occurrence.

excessively often

Uses "excessively" to highlight that the frequency is beyond what is reasonable or acceptable.

overly frequent

Emphasizes the excessive nature of the frequency, suggesting it's more than necessary.

with undue frequency

Indicates that the frequency is inappropriate or unwarranted.

all too frequently

Replaces "far" with "all", subtly altering the emphasis but maintaining the same meaning.

more often than is desirable

A more descriptive alternative that explicitly states the frequency is undesirable.

on too many occasions

Shifts the focus to the number of instances rather than the frequency.

repeatedly to an excessive degree

Highlights both the repetition and the excessive nature of the occurrence.

with unwelcome regularity

Conveys that the frequency is not only high but also undesirable.

disproportionately often

Suggests the frequency is out of balance or not in proportion with what is expected.

FAQs

How can I use "far too often" in a sentence?

"Far too often" is used to emphasize that something happens more than it should. For example, "We see this problem occurring "far too often"; we need a solution."

What are some alternatives to "far too often"?

Alternatives include phrases like "much too frequently", "excessively often", or "overly frequent", which all emphasize the excessive nature of the frequency.

Is "far too often" formal or informal?

While generally acceptable, "far too often" leans toward the neutral side. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "with undue frequency" or "more often than is desirable".

What's the difference between "far too often" and "too often"?

Adding "far" before "too often" intensifies the expression, emphasizing that the frequency is significantly more than desired. "Too often" simply indicates that something happens more than it should, without the added emphasis.