not so often

USAGE SUMMARY

"not so often" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to convey the idea that something does not happen as frequently or as often as it could or should. Example: I don't go to the beach not so often these days.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But not so often.

The Guardian - Music

But unfortunately, not so often facials.

The New York Times

(Well, not so often elegance).

The New York Times - Arts

Or at least not so often.

The New York Times

Places can hide surprises too, though not so often.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet he is not so often likened to a deity as to a rock star.

The Economist

Not so often for his life, as for his ideas, and which way they were tending.

The Economist

"It happens at weddings and that sort of thing, but not so often".

The New York Times

It's not so often these days that I write anything favorable about the Supreme Court.

The New Yorker

It's not so often that a painting has a chance to be public art.

The New Yorker

But now the number is not so often used to determine drug treatment, doctors say.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not so often", ensure the context clearly indicates what is happening less frequently. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "not so often" when you mean something never happens. While it implies reduced frequency, it doesn't convey complete absence. Use "never" or "not at all" for that purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not so often" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate frequency. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it describes that something happens less frequently than it otherwise might.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

27%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not so often" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates something happens less frequently. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. While versatile, it is most prevalent in news and media contexts. For formal writing, alternatives like "rarely" or "infrequently" may be preferred. Remember to ensure clarity by specifying what exactly is occurring less frequently when using this phrase. It's a handy tool for expressing reduced frequency in a variety of situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not very often

Emphasizes the infrequency more directly.

rarely

A single word expressing infrequent occurrence.

infrequently

Formal synonym for rarely.

not frequently

More formal and direct replacement.

occasionally

Indicates that something happens sometimes, but not regularly.

once in a while

Suggests something happens sporadically.

from time to time

Similar to occasionally, implying irregular intervals.

not as much

Focuses on the quantity or degree of occurrence.

seldom

Formal and less common synonym for rarely.

hardly ever

Emphasizes the near absence of occurrence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "not so often"?

You can use alternatives such as "not very often", "rarely", or "infrequently" to express a similar meaning.

Is "not so often" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not so often" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something does not happen frequently. Ludwig AI also confirms this.

What's the difference between "not so often" and "not often"?

"Not so often" and "not often" are similar, but "not so often" can sometimes imply a slightly greater degree of infrequency or surprise that something is less frequent than expected. However, they are largely interchangeable.

Can I use "not so often" in formal writing?

While "not so often" is acceptable, more formal alternatives like "infrequently" or "rarely" might be preferred in formal writing to maintain a more professional tone.