so often that

USAGE SUMMARY

'so often that' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you can use it when you need to describe something that happens frequently: "He visits the library so often that the librarians know him by name!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So often, that doesn't occur.

The New York Times

So often, that was what Seymour Hoffman's acting was about.

Vice

He does it so often that it sounds practically chaotic.

The New Yorker

It's been said so often that it's a cliché.

Harvard Business Review

It happened so often that she would wear sanitary pads.

The Washington Post

She walked so often that she developed a heel spur.

The New York Times - Sports

It happened so often that it ceased to surprise me.

The Guardian - Travel

It happens so often that you've stopped noticing it.

The Guardian

"I say so often that adult dysfunction hurts children," he said.

Princeton University

It is so often that we find ourselves overwhelmed by work that needs to be done.

Stanford University

My final suggestion is quite tactical, but it happens so often that it's worth flagging.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "so often that", ensure the cause is genuinely frequent and the effect is a direct and logical result of that frequency.

Common error

Avoid using "so often that" when the cause is not genuinely frequent or the consequence is disproportionate. For example, avoid saying "He sneezed so often that the building collapsed" unless you're writing humorously.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so often that" functions as an adverbial connector, linking a cause (frequent occurrence) with its effect. It indicates that something happens frequently enough to cause a specific outcome. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in connecting cause and effect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

23%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "so often that" is a versatile phrase used to connect a frequent action with its resulting consequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. While it appears across various contexts, it's particularly prevalent in news and academic writing. To use it effectively, ensure the cause is indeed frequent and the consequence is a logical outcome. Avoid exaggeration and consider alternative phrases like "so frequently that" or "so regularly that" to vary your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so frequently that

Replaces "often" with "frequently", maintaining the same meaning with a slightly more formal tone.

so regularly that

Substitutes "often" with "regularly", emphasizing the consistent nature of the occurrence.

so repeatedly that

Replaces "often" with "repeatedly", stressing the recurring nature of the action.

so many times that

Expresses the frequency by specifying "many times", providing a more explicit measure of repetition.

to such an extent that

A more formal and emphatic way of indicating consequence based on frequency.

it happens so much that

Emphasizes the occurrence by explicitly stating "it happens", adding a descriptive layer.

as a result of happening so often

Indicates a cause-and-effect relationship stemming from frequent occurrences.

with such frequency that

A slightly more formal way to express the high occurrence rate and its subsequent result.

owing to its frequent occurrence

Highlights the cause as frequent occurrence leading to a specific outcome.

its recurrence is such that

Focuses on the recurrence and its impact, offering a more structured and formal phrasing.

FAQs

How can I use "so often that" in a sentence?

Use "so often that" to connect a frequent action with its result. For example, "She practices the piano "so often that" she's become incredibly skilled".

What are some alternatives to "so often that"?

You can use alternatives such as "so frequently that", "so regularly that", or "so repeatedly that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it happens so often that"?

Yes, "it happens so often that" is a grammatically correct and natural way to emphasize the frequency of an event and its consequence. For example, "It happens "so often that" we've stopped being surprised".

What's the difference between "so often that" and "so much that"?

"So often that" emphasizes the frequency of an action, while "so much that" emphasizes the intensity or degree. For instance, "He cried "so much that" he couldn't breathe" focuses on the intensity of crying, whereas, "He cried "so often that" his eyes were always red" focuses on the repeated action of crying.