it is not often that

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is not often that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are making a comparison between different situations or occurrences. For example: "It is not often that you come across a talent as unique as hers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is not often that I covet a fly's ensemble.

The New York Times

It is not often that Silicon Valley's denizens quote P.G.

The Economist

It is not often that doctors defend trial lawyers.

The New York Times

It is not often that he looks upstaged.

The Guardian - Sport

It is not often that golf prodigies fulfill their promise so quickly.

The New York Times - Sports

But it is not often that an artist disavows a performance he has just given.

The New York Times - Arts

It is not often that you see a great city paralyse itself twice in one day.

Independent

It is not often that prosecutors ask that a Ferrari be included in a bail package.

The New York Times

It is not often that democracy makes you want to shimmy.

The New Yorker

It is not often that one is tempted to date the opening of an era.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

IT is not often that an exhibition in a historical mansion includes recipes for cocktails.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is not often that", consider the tone you wish to convey. While grammatically sound, this phrase can sometimes sound slightly formal. Adjust your word choice accordingly to match the overall style of your writing.

Common error

While "it is not often that" is a valid phrase, overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives such as "rarely", "uncommonly", or "seldom" to maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not often that" functions as an introductory phrase to emphasize the infrequency or unusual nature of a subsequent statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to highlight that what follows is not a common occurrence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is not often that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express the rarity or infrequency of an event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase serves to emphasize noteworthy or surprising occurrences. While correct and common, varying your vocabulary and sentence structure with alternatives like "it is rare that" or "it is uncommon that" can enrich your writing style. By understanding the subtle nuances and contexts, you can effectively use "it is not often that" to add emphasis and interest to your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is rare that

Emphasizes the infrequency of something.

it is uncommon that

Highlights the unusual nature of an occurrence.

it is unusual that

Stresses the deviation from the norm.

it is seldom that

Suggests something happens infrequently or rarely.

it is rare to

Focuses on the infrequency of an action or event.

it is a rarity that

Highlights the exceptional nature of something happening.

it is exceptional that

Emphasizes the unusual and remarkable quality of an event.

rarely does it happen that

Inverts the structure for emphasis on the infrequency.

one rarely sees

Changes the perspective to what one observes infrequently.

it's a rare occurrence when

Phrases something as infrequent event.

FAQs

What does "it is not often that" mean?

The phrase "it is not often that" means something does not happen frequently or is uncommon. It's used to express the rarity of an event or situation.

How can I use "it is not often that" in a sentence?

You can use "it is not often that" to introduce a statement about something infrequent, such as "It is not often that I see such dedication" or "It is not often that we have the opportunity to witness such an event".

What can I say instead of "it is not often that"?

You can use alternatives like "it is rare that", "it is uncommon that", or "rarely does it happen that" depending on the context.

Is "it's not often that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it's not often that" is grammatically correct. It is a contraction of "it is not often that" and is perfectly acceptable in both spoken and written English, though the uncontracted form may be more suitable for formal writing.