really often

USAGE SUMMARY

"really often" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an informal expression that is commonly used to emphasize the frequency of a particular occurrence. For example: "I visit the gym really often and it has really helped me to stay in shape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

What if you compound really often?

Yale University

"That person really often gets away scot-free".

The Guardian - Opinion

In such cases, getting out is really often the best advice — especially if the behavior goes beyond milder incivilities.

The Washington Post

When the ball is in his hands — and really, often even when it is not — the audience better not look away.

The New York Times - Sports

"As Jeremiah Wright discovered, what you say inside really often gets you into trouble outside," said James L. Guth, a professor of political science at Furman University in Greenville, S.C. "There are certain kinds of language, certain interpretations that are really meant for insiders, and take on a different interpretive frame outside the community," Dr. Guth said.

The New York Times

Pro tip: Save really often.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

They're dry clean only but, really, how often does anyone wash a skirt?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The really wealthy often rely not on wages but on earnings from their investments.

The New York Times

Now it's really ferocious, often amazing and always highly dangerous.

The New York Times

"It was alarming really, how often she moved – at least once a year".

The Guardian - Film

The result is really rich, often weirdly wonderful content and very engaged communities".

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really often" in informal contexts to emphasize the frequency of an action or event. It adds a conversational tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "really often" in formal writing or professional communication. Opt for more formal alternatives like "very frequently" or "on numerous occasions" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really often" functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing the frequency of an action or state. As supported by Ludwig AI, it is used to intensify the adverb "often", indicating a high degree of recurrence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

21%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really often" is a grammatically sound but informal adverbial phrase used to emphasize the frequency of an event or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in written English, particularly in casual contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources. When a more formal tone is required, consider alternatives such as "very frequently" or "on numerous occasions". While "really often" is acceptable in many situations, being mindful of the context will ensure that your writing remains appropriate and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pretty often

A more casual alternative with a slightly reduced emphasis on frequency.

quite often

A slightly less intense version of "really often", implying regular but not necessarily very frequent occurrence.

very frequently

More formal alternative emphasizing high frequency.

very frequently

More formal alternative emphasizing high frequency.

again and again

Similar to "time and again", but slightly less formal.

extremely often

Emphasizes a higher degree of frequency compared to "really often".

time and again

Implies repetition over time, similar to "really often" but with a stronger sense of recurrence.

on numerous occasions

A more formal and elaborate way of saying "really often", suitable for professional contexts.

remarkably frequently

Highlights the frequency as something noteworthy or surprising.

with great regularity

Focuses on the consistent and predictable nature of the frequency.

FAQs

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

You can use "really often" to emphasize the frequency of an action. For instance, "I go to the gym "really often" to stay in shape" or "She visits her family "really often" because she misses them".

What's a more formal alternative to "really often"?

If you need a more formal alternative, consider using phrases like "very frequently", "on numerous occasions", or "with great regularity".

Is "really often" grammatically correct?

Yes, "really often" is grammatically correct, but it's considered informal. It's suitable for casual conversations and informal writing but may not be appropriate for formal contexts.

How does "really often" differ from "quite often"?

"Really often" implies a higher frequency than "quite often". While both indicate that something happens regularly, "really often" suggests a more pronounced recurrence.