it is often

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it is often' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a frequency or to express that something generally or typically happens. For example: "It is often said that laughter is the best medicine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is often profane.

The New York Times - Arts

It is often inconsistent.

The New York Times - Travel

Still, it is often clogged.

The New Yorker

It is often fruitless, too.

The New York Times

It is often the way.

Independent

It is often hidden.

The New York Times

It is often captivating.

The Guardian - Books

In America it is often different.

The Economist

So simple that it is often overlooked.

The New York Times

It is often described as frontier country.

Independent

In practice, it is often controversial.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is often", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. Ambiguity can weaken the statement. Always maintain clarity for the reader.

Common error

While "it is often" is a valid phrase, overuse can make writing monotonous. Vary your sentence structure and vocabulary by using synonyms like "frequently", "generally", or "usually" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is often" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or verb phrase. It indicates the frequency with which an action or state occurs, expressing that something happens regularly or in many instances. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

29%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is often" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something occurs regularly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile and appropriate in various writing styles, spanning from news articles to scientific papers. While "it is often" is generally suitable, remember to ensure clarity in your writing by specifying what "it" refers to, and avoid overuse to maintain reader engagement. Consider using synonyms such as "it is frequently", "it is generally", or "it is usually" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is frequently

Replaces "often" with "frequently", indicating a high occurrence rate with a slightly more formal tone.

it is generally

Uses "generally" instead of "often", suggesting a common or widespread occurrence, focusing on typicality.

it is usually

Substitutes "often" with "usually", highlighting the normal or expected course of events.

it tends to be

Employs "tends to be" to convey a natural inclination or habitual pattern.

it is common

Replaces "often" with "common", emphasizing that something is widespread or prevalent.

it is typical

Uses "typical" instead of "often", underlining that something is representative or standard.

it is regularly

Substitutes "often" with "regularly", specifying a consistent and repeated occurrence.

it is habitually

Employs "habitually" to denote a customary or ingrained practice.

in many cases it is

Adds "in many cases" for specifying and underlying statistical nature and how many times the situation is true.

it is not uncommon

Uses a double negative ("not uncommon") to express that something occurs with reasonable frequency.

FAQs

How can I use "it is often" in a sentence?

Use "it is often" to express that something happens frequently or is a common occurrence. For example, "It is often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day".

What are some alternatives to "it is often"?

You can use phrases like "it is frequently", "it is generally", or "it is usually" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "it is often" and "it is sometimes"?

"It is often" suggests a higher frequency than "it is sometimes". While "it is often" implies that something happens regularly, "it is sometimes" indicates that it happens occasionally.

Which is correct: "it is often" or "often it is"?

"It is often" is the standard and grammatically correct phrasing in most contexts. "Often it is" is less common and may sound awkward in general usage, but it can be used for emphasis or in specific rhetorical contexts.