however often

USAGE SUMMARY

"however often" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a contrast. For example, "The mountains are beautiful, however often they are covered in fog."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Experience is, however, often thin.

The Economist

American soldiers, however, often intervened.

The New York Times

His private life, however, often aroused indignation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Clouds, however, often hung over the season.

The New York Times - Arts

Nondoorman buildings, however, often seemed dowdy.

The New York Times

Purists, however, often resented Seeger's influence.

The New Yorker

Adults, however, often don't see the problem.

The New York Times

This blatant idolatry, however, often proves awkward.

The New York Times

The PCs, however, often broke down or were unavailable.

The New York Times - Tech

Response to thalidomide, however, often occurred rapidly in these patients.

The New York Times

Birds, however, often flourish in geopolitical conflict zones.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the sentence maintains a clear logical flow after "however often"; the contrasting element should be readily apparent.

Common error

Avoid using "however often" if the subsequent clause doesn't present a contrast or unexpected outcome related to the frequency. This can lead to sentences that are grammatically correct but lack coherence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "however often" functions as an adverbial phrase introducing a clause that contrasts with a preceding statement. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and serves to highlight a discrepancy or unexpected outcome despite frequency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Science & Research

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "however often" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to introduce a contrasting element related to the frequency of an event. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. When using "however often", ensure that the subsequent clause introduces a clear contrast or unexpected outcome. Ludwig provides various examples, showing its wide applicability. Alternatives like "no matter how frequently" or "even if repeatedly" can be used to express similar meanings, although with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no matter how frequently

Emphasizes frequency and indifference to the quantity of repetitions.

regardless of how many times

Highlights the quantity of occurrences without setting a limit.

as frequently as

Highlights frequency and can imply a comparison or expectation.

even if repeatedly

Focuses on repetition despite a potential obstacle.

though frequently

A more concise way to express the same sentiment.

despite the frequency

Highlights frequency as something that might be unexpected.

irrespective of the times

Indicates that the number of occurrences does not matter.

on every occasion that

Focuses on each specific instance or opportunity.

each time that

Emphasizes the individual instances when something happens.

as often as it occurs

Highlights frequency in the context of natural occurrences.

FAQs

How can I use "however often" in a sentence?

You can use "however often" to introduce a contrasting element. For example, "The mountains are beautiful, "however often" they are covered in fog".

What phrases are similar to "however often"?

Similar phrases include "no matter how frequently", "regardless of how many times", or "even if repeatedly".

Is "however often" formal or informal?

The phrase "however often" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile for various writing styles.

What's the difference between "however often" and "although frequently"?

While both express contrast related to frequency, "however often" directly emphasizes the number of occurrences, whereas "although frequently" focuses more on the repeated nature of the action. You can replace "however often" with phrases like "though frequently".