it has too often

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has too often" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something has occurred frequently or excessively in the past. Example: "It has too often been the case that we overlook the importance of mental health in our discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The problem with the pro game, however, is that it has too often gotten away from its inherent beauty and finesse, its grace and charm, the things that really please a crowd.

The New York Times - Sports

A year into the credit crisis, it has too often been steadfast in its rewards and lavish in its approach to failure.The three banks that have suffered the heftiest losses since credit first crunched Citigroup, Merrill Lynch and UBS have all swept out the old management since their problems surfaced.

The Economist

There are signs that Congress feels it has too often, recently, given the Pres.

The New Yorker

Even in Britain it has too often been considered in parochial terms.

The Guardian - Arts

Since decolonization began in the second half of the 20th century, it has too often been the continent of "The Big Man".

The New York Times

Yet it has too often been seen as a technocratic exercise, something that can be "implemented" by one or two ministries and their local donors.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It is so perilous to love people because eventually you will hurt them, and in my mother's life it seems as if I have too often been the cause of her pain.

The New York Times

The problem is that it underscored what has too often been his countenance in office.

The New York Times

New York City has seen "an overuse of stop-and-frisk", De Blasio said, calling it "an approach that has too often alienated communities".

The Guardian

Mr. Cuomo has too often played it safe within an insular cocoon of aides, shielding himself from news inquiries, waiting too long to endorse same-sex marriage, citing convoluted reasons to avoid having a one-on-one debate with Mr. Paladino.

The New York Times

ReprintsThe Commonwealth has too often failed to enforce its values.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has too often", ensure the subject and context clearly indicate what 'it' refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "it" without ensuring each "it" clearly refers to the same subject. Vary your sentence structure for clarity and readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has too often" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the frequency with which an action occurs. According to Ludwig, the phrase is deemed correct and appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it has too often" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express that something has occurred more frequently than desired. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in various contexts, from news and media to science and business. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in reference to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "it frequently occurred" or "it happened repeatedly" for nuanced variations. While the phrase is generally neutral to formal, it's essential to maintain a clear and consistent subject reference to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it all too frequently occurred

Adds "all" for emphasis, slightly increasing the intensity.

it occurred excessively

Highlights the excessiveness of the occurrence.

it frequently occurred

Replaces "too often" with "frequently occurred", which is a more formal synonym.

it happened repeatedly

Emphasizes the repetition of the event.

it often happened

Focuses on the occurrence rather than the frequency being excessive.

it happened with undue frequency

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing excessive frequency.

it happened more than it should have

Expresses that the event occurred more times than desired or expected.

it was a frequent occurrence

Shifts the focus to the event being a frequent occurrence, rather than the action.

it became commonplace

Indicates that something became ordinary or usual, often with negative connotations.

it habitually happened

Suggests that something happened as a habit.

FAQs

What does "it has too often" mean?

The phrase "it has too often" means that something has occurred more frequently than desired or expected. It implies a sense of dissatisfaction or concern about the repeated occurrence.

How can I use "it has too often" in a sentence?

You can use "it has too often" to describe situations or actions that happen excessively. For example, "It has too often been the case that important details are overlooked during the planning phase."

What are some alternatives to "it has too often"?

Alternatives include "it frequently occurred", "it happened repeatedly", or "it occurred excessively". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it has too often" formal or informal?

The phrase "it has too often" is generally considered neutral to formal in tone, suitable for both professional and academic writing. However, more informal alternatives exist if a casual tone is desired.