it is often the case

USAGE SUMMARY

'it is often the case' is a perfectly valid phrase that can be used in written English.
It is a way of expressing that a certain thing generally tends to be the case. For example: "It is often the case that people struggle to find time for the things they love."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is often the case that a wrong answer is worse than no answer at all.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It is often the case for the deposits used in the glass industry.

Measurement

It is often the case that these two goals cannot be satisfied simultaneously.

Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing

It is often the case that opinions expressed in public differ from those expressed in private.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It is often the case, especially with enlargements or mural prints".

The New York Times - Arts

It is often the case that the community fills the gap left by social services.

The Guardian

The method has the potential to treat different wave types superposed, as it is often the case in truss structures.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

It is often the case that the operational environment of the system changes over time, necessitating evolution of the architecture.

Acta Astronautica

It is often the case that such sources have a primary responsibility for generation of the motion of the fluid.

Mathematical and Computer Modelling

In such systems, it is often the case that measurements are received out-of-time-order at the fusion center.

Information Fusion

It is often the case that off-line laboratory tests are the only means of determining product quality measurements.

Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is often the case" to introduce observations or generalizations based on evidence or experience. This provides a formal tone suitable for academic and professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "it is often the case" in casual or informal writing where simpler phrases like "often" or "usually" are more appropriate and maintain a conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is often the case" functions as a sentence introducer or transitional phrase, signaling that the following statement is a common occurrence or a general observation. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used to preface a statement of fact or a generalization derived from experience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

28%

News & Media

26%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is often the case" is a versatile phrase used to introduce general observations or frequently occurring situations. As indicated by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and finds common application across various domains, including science, news, and academia. While it lends a degree of formality to writing, it’s advisable to use simpler alternatives in more casual contexts. This phrase serves to preface a statement of fact or a generalization, preparing the reader for a commonly observed pattern. Therefore, while effective, writers should be mindful of the tone they wish to convey and choose the phrase that best suits their writing's context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it frequently happens

Replaces "often" with "frequently" and restructures the sentence slightly to emphasize the happening of something.

it commonly occurs

Substitutes "often" with "commonly" and "case" with "occurs", focusing on the event's commonality.

it's generally true that

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct statement of general truth.

it's a common occurrence

Transforms the phrase into a noun-based expression, highlighting the common nature of the event.

it's typical

Simplifies the phrase to a single adjective, indicating something conforms to a type.

it's usually so

Uses "usually" as an adverb to convey the general truth, making the expression more concise.

more often than not

Employs an idiomatic expression to suggest that something happens more frequently than not.

as a rule

Offers a short, concise way to indicate something is generally true.

in most instances

Focuses on the majority of instances where something is true, emphasizing the frequency.

by and large

Uses a colloquial phrase to suggest that something is generally the case, considering everything.

FAQs

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

You can use "it is often the case" to introduce a statement that is generally true or frequently observed. For example, "It is often the case that students underestimate the importance of time management."

What phrases can I use instead of "it is often the case"?

Alternatives include "frequently", "usually", "generally", or "more often than not". The choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it redundant to say "it is often the case that"?

While it's a somewhat verbose phrase, "it is often the case" is not strictly redundant. It provides emphasis and formality, but it can be replaced with simpler alternatives like "often" or "usually" without changing the core meaning.

What's the difference between "it is often the case" and "it is sometimes the case"?

"It is often the case" implies a higher frequency of occurrence compared to "it is sometimes the case". "It is often the case" suggests something happens regularly, while "it is sometimes the case" indicates that something happens occasionally or less predictably.