it often happened that

USAGE SUMMARY

"it often happened that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a recurrent or frequent occurrence in the past. Here is an example sentence: It often happened that Sarah would forget her keys, causing her to be locked out of her apartment on a regular basis.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It often happened that when really valuable people got into bad trouble they were changed into constellations.

The New Yorker

"It often happened that there were new lines in the morning — something I detest, I need time to get familiar with the dialogue – but he didn't mind," he added.

The New York Times

She was "a very beautiful woman" and yet, he wrote, it often happened that "the crowd in the street... would go into fits of laughter at the sight of Virginia".

The New Yorker

Included in the report was confirmation that because so many of the victims were sleeping when the rockets came in, it often happened that single families lost multiple members.

Independent

Howland also introduced what I've called Howland's razor (see the discussion of Example 3.3) and he gave one possible answer: it often happened that the embedded eigenvalue turned into a resonance, i.e. second sheet pole, for real values of (beta ) but for suitable complex (beta ), it was a pole in ({mathbb {C}}_+) and so a normal discrete eigenvalue of (A beta )).

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

It often happened that a channel crossed the territories of a number of different sovereigns.

Human Ecology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In a CR network, it often happens that a PU (source node) wants to send its data in a limited period of time.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

It often happens that pupils watch movies during lesson hours.

The Guardian

It often happens that victims, in a reversal of roles, become perpetrators".

Independent

When a radioactive nucleus decays, it often happens that the daughter nucleus is radioactive as well.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It often happens that several substances are precipitated by a given reaction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it often happened that" to describe past situations or events that recurred regularly, providing context or explaining subsequent actions.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions with "it often happened that". Opt for active voice when possible to make your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it often happened that" functions as an introductory clause that sets the stage for describing a recurring event or situation in the past. It typically precedes a main clause that provides further details about the event. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it often happened that" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce recurring events or situations in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While not overly common, it appears in a variety of contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, lending itself to a neutral and slightly formal register. Alternatives such as "it frequently happened that" or "it was typical that" can provide subtle shifts in meaning or emphasis. When employing this phrase, consider the context and audience to ensure the appropriate level of formality and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it frequently happened that

Synonymous, but "frequently" emphasizes a higher rate of occurrence than "often".

it would frequently happen that

Combines "frequently" with the conditional "would" to describe a past habit or tendency.

it often occurs that

Changes the tense to present, suggesting that the event still happens regularly.

it was a common occurrence that

Rephrases the concept to focus on the 'commonness' of the event.

it was typical that

Indicates an event being representative or characteristic.

it was usual for

Indicates something that was expected or normal in the past.

as a rule

A more concise idiom expressing a general pattern or behavior.

it was customary that

Suggests the event was a tradition or social norm.

time and again

An idiomatic phrase emphasizing the repetition of an event.

repeatedly

An adverb that stresses the recurrence of an action.

FAQs

How can I use "it often happened that" in a sentence?

Use "it often happened that" to introduce a situation that occurred repeatedly in the past. For example, "It often happened that he would arrive late, causing delays for everyone else."

What are some alternatives to "it often happened that"?

You can use alternatives like "it frequently happened that", "it often occurs that", or "it was a common occurrence that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it often happens that" instead of "it often happened that"?

Yes, "it often happens that" uses the present tense and is suitable for describing recurring events in the present. "It often happened that" uses the past tense and describes recurring events in the past.

What's the difference between "it often happened that" and "it was typical that"?

"It often happened that" simply indicates a frequent occurrence. "It was typical that" suggests that the event was representative or characteristic of a certain situation or person.