not as often

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not as often" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare the frequency of two actions or events, indicating that one occurs less frequently than the other. Example: "I go to the gym not as often as I used to since my schedule has become busier."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not as often as you might think.

The New York Times - Travel

Just not as often.

The New York Times - Travel

Not as often as Nick Clegg, sadly.

The Guardian

Not as often as they ought to.

The New York Times - Magazine

Not as often as he'd like.

The Guardian

(Pence interrupted, too, but not as often).

The New Yorker

Pretty often, but not as often as I'd like.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The mother also wants sex, but not as often.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Not as often as we, or possibly you, might think.

The Guardian - Music

At the same time, she says, "students are studying, but not as often as they were".

The New York Times

We kiss in public too, though probably not as often as we used to.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, consider using "less frequently" as a direct substitute for "not as often".

Common error

Avoid using "not as often" without a clear point of comparison. Ensure your writing explicitly states or implicitly suggests what is happening less frequently than something else to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not as often" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating a decrease in the frequency of an action. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is both correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Science

8%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not as often" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate a reduction in frequency compared to a reference point. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's most commonly found in news and media but is applicable across various contexts. While alternatives like "less frequently" exist for conciseness, "not as often" provides a clear comparative statement. Remember to maintain context to avoid ambiguity and to ensure a good writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less frequently

Replaces "not as often" with a single adverb, providing a more concise alternative.

not as regularly

Substitutes "often" with "regularly", emphasizing a lack of consistent occurrence.

less commonly

Focuses on the rarity of an event or action, rather than its frequency.

not so frequently

A slightly more emphatic version of "not as often", indicating a noticeable decrease in frequency.

not as habitually

Highlights the absence of a habitual or routine action.

more infrequently

Uses a less common adverb ("infrequently") to convey the idea of reduced frequency.

on fewer occasions

Emphasizes the reduced number of instances in which something occurs.

not to the same extent

Shifts the focus to the degree or intensity of an action, rather than its frequency, implying it happens less.

to a lesser degree

Similar to "not to the same extent", but more directly compares the degree of occurrence.

not nearly as much

Indicates a significant difference in frequency or quantity, emphasizing the disparity.

FAQs

What does "not as often" mean?

The phrase "not as often" means something happens less frequently than it used to, or less frequently than something else. It indicates a lower occurrence rate.

How can I use "not as often" in a sentence?

You can use "not as often" to compare the frequency of two actions. For example: "I go to the gym "not as often" as I used to".

What can I say instead of "not as often"?

You can use alternatives like "less frequently", "not as regularly", or "less commonly" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "less frequently" or "not as often"?

Both "less frequently" and "not as often" are correct and generally interchangeable. "Less frequently" is more concise, while "not as often" can provide a more direct comparison.