not often enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"not often enough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a variety of contexts to indicate that something does not occur as often as it should. For example: "I don't get to spend time with my family not often enough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not often enough.

The New York Times - Sports

But not often enough.

The New York Times - Arts

Not often enough, though.

The New York Times

He has not often enough.

The New York Times - Sports

Just not often enough to make a career out of it.

The Guardian - Sport

"That's not often enough to ever feel comfortable getting all the gear together.

The New York Times - Travel

Sometimes they succeed, but not often enough to elevate the film to "Pulp Fiction" territory.

The New York Times

I write a lot about global poverty, perhaps not often enough about poverty at home.

The New York Times

That's not often enough, so doing commercials is a great tool.

The New York Times

The selectors come calling occasionally but not often enough to construct a significant Test career.

Independent

His elder daughter, Anne Kathryn Erbee), is around too often or not often enough.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not often enough", ensure the context clearly indicates what the desired or expected frequency should be. For example, specify what 'enough' would entail: "We practice our drills, but "not often enough" to feel fully prepared for the competition".

Common error

Avoid using "not often enough" without providing context or a point of reference. This can leave the reader wondering what 'enough' actually means in the given situation. Instead, try to quantify the desired frequency: "We meet once a month, which is "not often enough" to address all pending issues effectively".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not often enough" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the frequency of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not often enough" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express that something occurs less frequently than desired or necessary. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable in English writing. Its function is to modify verbs or clauses, emphasizing the infrequency of an action or event. The phrase carries a neutral register, allowing for its use in various contexts, including News & Media and scientific writing. When using "not often enough", it's essential to provide sufficient context to clarify what 'enough' entails. Alternatives such as "insufficiently often" or "too infrequently" can be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficiently often

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more formal and literal equivalent.

not frequently enough

Substitutes "often" with "frequently", maintaining a similar level of formality.

too infrequently

Uses an adverb emphasizing the lack of frequency.

rarely enough

Emphasizes the rarity of the occurrence, suggesting it barely meets the minimum requirement.

seldom enough

Uses "seldom" as a synonym for "rarely", indicating infrequent occurrence.

not as much as necessary

Focuses on the inadequacy of the amount or frequency compared to what is needed.

less than required

Highlights that the action or event happens below the necessary level.

not to the degree needed

Points out that the intensity or extent isn't sufficient.

not sufficiently

A more concise way of saying something is lacking.

on rare occasions

Shifts focus to the infrequency of the event, rather than the degree.

FAQs

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

Use "not often enough" to express that something doesn't happen as frequently as it should. For example, "I visit my parents "not often enough"," indicating you wish you could visit them more frequently.

What are some alternatives to "not often enough"?

You can use alternatives like "insufficiently often", "too infrequently", or "rarely enough" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "not often enough" or "rarely"?

Both "not often enough" and "rarely" indicate infrequency, but "not often enough" implies a deficiency or a desired higher frequency. "Rarely" simply states that something doesn't happen much. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "not often enough" imply?

"Not often enough" implies that the frequency of an action or event is less than ideal or necessary. It suggests that increasing the frequency would be beneficial or desirable.