not too often

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not too often" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something does not happen frequently, but also more often than not. For example: "We don't eat out not too often, as it can be expensive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Just not too often".

The New Yorker

Hopefully not too often".

The New York Times - Sports

But not too often with Conjuror.

The Guardian

Not too often have we seen Serena so overwhelmed".

The New York Times - Sports

There's not too often they don't know after it happens.

The New York Times - Sports

We'll find time, but it's not too often".

The New York Times

She has her girly moments, but not too often".

The New York Times

"Not too often, because it's a bit painful.

The Guardian

"It has happened," she said, "but not too often".

The New York Times

And we want to hear about others' victories, but not too often or too loudly.

The New York Times

"That's right, Drosselmeyer, pronounced Drosselmeyer, but not too often in the week before the race".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not too often" to soften a negative statement, suggesting something undesirable happens less frequently than it might.

Common error

In highly formal contexts, consider using more precise adverbs like "infrequently" or "seldom" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

Adverbial phrases such as "not too often" modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to provide additional information about frequency. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. These phrases typically function to limit or qualify the action's frequency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

35%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not too often" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express infrequent occurrence, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives such as "infrequently" or "seldom" may be preferable in professional writing. To ensure clarity and precision in your writing, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey and the formality of the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not very often

A slightly less formal alternative that emphasizes the lack of frequency.

hardly ever

Emphasizes the infrequency, suggesting it almost never happens.

rarely

A common adverb indicating that something almost never happens.

seldom

A more formal synonym for rarely, indicating infrequent occurrence.

infrequently

A formal adverb that directly expresses that something happens rarely.

occasionally

Suggests occurrences at irregular intervals.

once in a while

Indicates occasional occurrence, suggesting less regularity.

from time to time

Implies occasional instances, slightly more formal.

on occasion

A more formal way to express occasional occurrence.

every so often

Suggests irregular intervals between occurrences.

FAQs

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

You can use "not too often" to express that something happens with some frequency, but not excessively. For example, "I visit my family, but "not too often", as they live far away."

What are some alternatives to "not too often"?

Alternatives to "not too often" include "rarely", "infrequently", "occasionally", or "from time to time", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not too often"?

Yes, "not too often" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English to indicate something that happens less frequently than expected or desired.

What is the difference between "not too often" and "not very often"?

"Not too often" and "not very often" are largely interchangeable. Both indicate infrequent occurrence, but "not very often" might suggest a slightly lower frequency than "not too often".