rather often

USAGE SUMMARY

"rather often" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to talk about something that happens more often than occasionally, but not as frequently as usually. For example, you could say "He visits his family rather often."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rather often discussions on technology and legal education focus on e-learning and online teaching environments.

Cornell University

It is both apparent and imprecise, and yet we use it rather often.

Cornell University

For an event that is, by definition, singular, it has occurred rather often.

The New Yorker

Rather often, the Texan solution involves basic services that aim to be cheap but good enough.

The Economist

Vulliamy blames the rottenness of the British system, a notion he repeats rather often.

The Guardian - Books

Actually, people do see "Action" rather often, so we can't say that it is just private.

The New York Times

"We did it already," said Murphy, who knew that Rather often skips this meeting.

The New Yorker

Although these petitions are filed rather often, they are, not surprisingly, almost never granted.

The New York Times

In the months soon after the Sept. 11 attacks, that idea was expressed rather often.

The New York Times

They do not seek silver bullets; rather often settle for incremental gains.

The Guardian - Sport

Moreover, it should be noticed that our own algorithm produces rather often the best performance level among the investigated algorithms.

Neurocomputing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather often" to indicate a frequency that is more than occasional but not constant. It adds a nuanced sense of frequency that is useful in both formal and informal writing.

Common error

While "rather often" is versatile, avoid replacing simpler alternatives like "often" in informal contexts where they would sound more natural. Overly formal language can sometimes detract from clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather often" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb to indicate frequency. It specifies how frequently an action occurs, positioning it between 'sometimes' and 'very often'. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

34%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather often" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to express a frequency greater than 'sometimes' but less than 'very often'. It finds common use across various domains, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academia, as demonstrated by Ludwig. While versatile, simpler alternatives might be more suitable in highly informal settings. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and understood, making it a useful addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Often

A more direct and commonly used synonym, lacking the slight nuance of "rather".

Fairly often

Similar in meaning and usage, indicating a moderate degree of frequency.

Quite frequently

Similar to "rather often" but may emphasize the frequency slightly more.

Somewhat frequently

Highlights that the frequency is moderate, similar to "rather often".

Frequently

Indicates a high degree of occurrence, often suggesting a more formal tone than "rather often".

Not infrequently

A more formal and somewhat less direct way of saying "rather often", using a double negative.

Regularly

Suggests a consistent pattern or routine, implying a predictable frequency.

On many occasions

More formal and emphasizes the number of instances.

Repeatedly

Emphasizes the recurrence of an event or action.

Many times

A more literal way of expressing frequency, suitable for less formal contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "rather often" to describe the frequency of an action or event. For example: "He visits his family "rather often"" or "These issues arise "rather often" in our discussions."

What's a good alternative to "rather often" in formal writing?

In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "frequently", "regularly", or "on many occasions". These options can provide a similar meaning with a slightly more elevated tone.

Is "rather often" appropriate for informal conversation?

Yes, "rather often" is suitable for informal conversation, but simpler options like "often" or "pretty often" might sound more natural. The choice depends on the specific context and your personal speaking style.

What's the difference between "rather often" and "very often"?

"Rather often" indicates a frequency that is more than occasional but less than constant. "Very often" suggests a high degree of frequency, implying that something occurs quite frequently. You could also use "frequently" or "regularly".