not constantly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not constantly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something occurs intermittently or occasionally rather than all the time. Example: "I don't check my emails not constantly, but I do make it a point to look at them several times a day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So we're not constantly number crunching.

The Guardian - Tech

"You're not constantly bombarded with other people's opinions".

The Economist

"I'm not constantly searching for the right remote".

The New York Times - Tech

And not constantly talk about her troubles, which were dreadful.

The Guardian - Books

"I'm not constantly throwing advertisements in their face.

The Guardian

That means not constantly trying to lead us into tar pits or deadly velociraptor ambushes.

The New York Times

Why is it not constantly searching for new methods to clean up after such a catastrophe?

The New York Times

But overall it's not constantly on my mind, how many matches I've won in my career".

Independent

As long as it is not constantly in her face, I don't bring it up".

The New York Times

George Bush has shown what happens if liberal values are not constantly nurtured and protected.

The Guardian

The important thing to the BBC is range, so we're not constantly chasing huge budgets".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing processes or behaviors, "not constantly" can effectively communicate that there are periods of inactivity or change. For example, "The machine is not constantly running" implies it has rest or maintenance periods.

Common error

While "not constantly" is grammatically sound, overuse in formal or academic writing can make your text sound less precise. Consider alternatives like "intermittently", "occasionally", or specifying the frequency more accurately (e.g., "every other day") to enhance clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not constantly" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the frequency or regularity of an action or state. As Ludwig AI suggests, it specifies that something occurs intermittently rather than continuously. Examples show it modifying verbs to express that actions are not sustained or uninterrupted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

31%

Wiki

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not constantly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that indicates an action or state is intermittent rather than continuous. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, but should be used with consideration for tone and precision in formal writing. Related phrases include "not always" and "occasionally". While generally acceptable, overuse should be avoided in favor of more specific and formal alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not always

Indicates something doesn't happen in every instance; implies occasional exceptions, differing from "not constantly" which suggests intermittent occurrence.

not continuously

Emphasizes the lack of uninterrupted sequence, slightly more formal than "not constantly".

not perpetually

Implies a lack of endless continuation; suggests a fixed duration will eventually terminate, differing from mere intermittence.

not incessantly

Implies a lack of unremitting continuation or ceaselessness; emphasizes absence of relentlessness beyond just absence of uniformity.

not habitually

Focuses on the absence of a regular habit or pattern, implying a lack of routine rather than pure frequency.

not routinely

Similar to 'not habitually', this indicates that something isn't part of a standard procedure or practice.

not steadily

Highlights the lack of a stable or consistent progression, focusing on stability rather than frequency.

not regularly

Indicates the action does not occur at fixed intervals or with consistent frequency.

not without interruption

Focuses on breaks or pauses in an activity rather than its overall consistency.

only sometimes

Directly indicates infrequent occurrence, focusing on occasional instances rather than consistent absence.

FAQs

How can I use "not constantly" in a sentence?

Use "not constantly" to indicate that an action or state does not occur continuously. For example: "I check my email, but "not constantly", only a few times a day."

What phrases can I use instead of "not constantly"?

You can use alternatives like "not always", "not continuously", or "occasionally" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "not constantly"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. It effectively conveys that something happens intermittently rather than continuously.

What is the difference between "not constantly" and "never"?

"Not constantly" implies that something happens sometimes, but not all the time, whereas "never" indicates that something does not happen at all.