often when

USAGE SUMMARY

"often when" is a correct form of written English and can be used when you are comparing two situations or ideas.
For example: Often when I go to the store, I forget to bring my reusable bags.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"How often?" "When they get dirty".

The New Yorker

That's often when the trouble starts.

The New York Times - Health

"Often when we see clients, they're distressed.

The New York Times

I think about that often when I am making pictures.

The New York Times

Often when a player is injured, another player is involved.

The New York Times - Sports

Often, when I propose this, my friends become surly.

The New Yorker

Often when you reach a goal you wonder what's next.

The Guardian

The subjects hallucinated most often when they were alone.

The New Yorker

Do dogs bite more often when the moon is full?

The New York Times - Health

Often, when television programmes become films, it's cause for worry.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Indolence so often when no one was watching.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "often when" to clearly connect a recurring condition or situation with a frequent outcome. This establishes a predictable relationship for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "often when" in contexts where the "when" is unnecessary or implied. For example, instead of "Often when it rains, it pours", simply say "Often, it pours when it rains" or "It often pours when it rains" to be more concise.

Linguistic Context

"Often when" acts as a conjunction phrase, linking a frequent event or condition to its consequence. It establishes a relationship between two clauses, indicating that the event in the "when" clause frequently leads to the outcome in the main clause. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "often when" functions as a conjunction, connecting recurring events or conditions with their outcomes. Ludwig AI validates it as grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts. Its register leans towards neutral, with frequent use in news, science, and general writing. When writing, ensure you're using it to clearly indicate a predictable relationship, and avoid redundant constructions. Common alternatives include "frequently when" and "usually when". This combination is useful for expressing correlation and frequency in a clear and understandable manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frequently when

Replaces "often" with "frequently", emphasizing the high occurrence rate.

commonly when

Substitutes "often" with "commonly", suggesting a usual or typical occurrence.

usually when

Replaces "often" with "usually", indicating that something happens in most cases.

typically when

Similar to "usually when", but suggests the occurrence is representative of a type or category.

generally when

Indicates a broad or widespread occurrence, replacing "often" with "generally".

more often as

Changes the structure to highlight an increase in frequency alongside another factor.

in many instances when

Adds emphasis to the number of times an event occurs.

on numerous occasions when

Replaces "often" with a more formal phrase indicating multiple instances.

repeatedly when

Highlights the repetitive nature of the occurrence.

time and again when

An idiomatic expression emphasizing the repeated occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "often when" in a sentence?

Use "often when" to connect a frequent action or occurrence with a specific condition. For instance, "I feel tired "often when" I don't get enough sleep."

What are some alternatives to using "often when"?

You can use alternatives like "frequently when", "commonly when", or "usually when" to express similar meanings while varying your sentence structure.

Is there a difference between "often when" and "sometimes when"?

"Often when" indicates a higher frequency of occurrence compared to "sometimes when". The former suggests a regular association, while the latter implies an occasional one.

When is it appropriate to use "often when" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "often when" in any writing context where you want to clearly indicate a recurring condition or circumstance that leads to a particular outcome. This is suitable for both formal and informal communication.