more often than

USAGE SUMMARY

"more often than" is a perfectly valid phrase in written English.
You can use it to compare two or more things that normally happen at different frequencies. For example: "I go to the gym more often than I eat out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lost, more often than not.

The New Yorker

They are, more often than not, shut.

The New York Times

More often than not, he strikes funny.

The New Yorker

More often than not, he is right.

The New York Times - Health

More often than not, though, they win.

The New York Times

They happen more often than elections.

The Economist

More often than not, they do.

The New York Times

More often than not these days.

Independent

And, more often than not, he won.

The New York Times

More often than not, they did.

The New York Times

More often than not, it is.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "more often than", ensure that you are comparing comparable actions or events. For instance, "He reads books more often than he watches movies" is clearer than "He reads more often than his brother."

Common error

Avoid using "more often than" without specifying what is being compared. For example, instead of saying "He visits the museum more often than", clarify by stating "He visits the museum more often than his friends do."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more often than" functions primarily as an adverbial comparative. It modifies a verb or clause to indicate that an action or state occurs with greater frequency compared to another. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more often than" serves as a versatile comparative phrase, widely used to express relative frequency. It is grammatically correct and prevalent across various domains, including News & Media, Wiki, and Science. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clear comparison and avoid ambiguity. Consider synonyms such as "more frequently than" or "more regularly than" for variety. Being mindful of these guidelines will enhance the clarity and effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more frequently than

Replaces "often" with "frequently", maintaining the same comparative meaning.

more times than

Substitutes "often" with "times", emphasizing the number of occurrences.

on more occasions than

Uses a more formal and elaborate structure to express comparative frequency.

more regularly than

Replaces "often" with "regularly", implying a consistent pattern of occurrence.

more consistently than

Similar to "more regularly than" but emphasizes the reliability of the pattern.

to a greater extent than

Uses a general comparative structure to indicate a higher degree of frequency.

more usually than

Replaces "often" with "usually", suggesting a typical but not necessarily regular occurrence.

as opposed to

While not a direct synonym, implies a frequency contrast.

rather than

Implies a preference in frequency, contrasting two options.

in preference to

A more formal way of saying "rather than", indicating a preferred frequency.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "more often than" in a sentence?

Use "more often than" to compare the frequency of two actions or events. For example, "She checks her email "more often than" she updates her social media profiles."

What are some alternatives to using "more often than"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "more frequently than", "more regularly than", or "more times than".

Is there a subtle difference between "more often than" and "more frequently than"?

While both phrases are largely interchangeable, "more often than" is generally considered slightly more informal, while "more frequently than" may be perceived as more formal.

Can "more often than" be used to compare things other than actions or events?

Yes, "more often than" can also compare states or conditions, though it's most common with actions. For example, "He is happy "more often than" he is sad."