most of the time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most of the time" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used to express that an action or event typically happens but is not always the case. For example: I check my voicemail most of the time, but sometimes I forget.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, most of the time.

The New York Times - Sports

Laurel: Most of the time.

The New Yorker

But we quarrelled most of the time.

The New Yorker

All hitters fail most of the time.

The New York Times - Sports

"Most of the time, they do.

The New York Times - Sports

Most of the time, it was boring".

The New Yorker

Most of the time, that is.

The New York Times

Most of the time, tamarins eat insects.

The New Yorker

Most of the time, that's true.

The New York Times

"And we win most of the time".

The New York Times

I'm busy most of the time".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most of the time" to convey that something occurs frequently but not invariably. For greater precision, consider quantifying the frequency if specific data is available.

Common error

Avoid overuse by diversifying your vocabulary. Over-reliance can make your writing sound repetitive. Use alternatives like "usually" or "generally" to enhance variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most of the time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate frequency. As supported by Ludwig, it specifies how often an action or state occurs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

15%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "most of the time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that describes an action or state that occurs often but not always. It is considered neutral in register and is appropriate for various contexts, including news, formal business communications, and informal writing. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a common and acceptable phrase in written English. When writing, remember to quantify the frequency when more specific data is available and avoid overusing the phrase by diversifying your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

usually

This alternative is a single-word adverb that denotes something happening in the majority of cases.

generally

This alternative is a single-word adverb that conveys a sense of overall occurrence, though not necessarily always.

typically

This alternative indicates that something happens according to a pattern or is representative of a specific type.

more often than not

This alternative is an idiomatic expression that suggests something happens more frequently than it does not.

in most instances

This alternative conveys that something is true or happens in the majority of cases or situations.

on most occasions

This alternative indicates that something occurs in the majority of specific events or happenings.

as a rule

This alternative presents a general principle or expectation that applies in most circumstances.

for the most part

This alternative suggests that something is true or valid regarding the majority of a whole.

by and large

This alternative implies that something is generally true when considering everything.

ordinarily

This alternative refers to what is normal or customary in most situations.

FAQs

How can I use "most of the time" in a sentence?

You can use "most of the time" to indicate that something happens frequently but not always. For example, "I eat breakfast at home "most of the time", but sometimes I grab something on the way to work."

What can I say instead of "most of the time"?

You can use alternatives like "usually", "generally", or "typically" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "most of the time" and "all the time"?

"Most of the time" indicates that something happens frequently but not always, while "all the time" means it happens constantly without exception. The phrase "most of the time" implies some exceptions occur.

Which is more formal, "most of the time" or "usually"?

"Usually" is generally considered slightly more formal than "most of the time", although both are acceptable in a wide range of contexts. You can use "usually" in professional environments.