something that happens often

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something that happens often" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or occurrence that takes place frequently or regularly. Example: "Rain is something that happens often in this region during the summer months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

This is not something that happens often.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's not something that happens often".

The Guardian - Sport

But from a claims perspective, it is not something that happens often.

The New York Times

Getting something like "If Beale Street Could Talk" is not something that happens often.

The New York Times - Magazine

Dr. Hatzes called Gliese 581g "a marginal detection" that was not supported by additional data, something that happens often.

The New York Times - Science

"It's not something that happens often, to be a part of the first wave that sets the foundation for something that could be amazing," Thompson said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Now, I know that sounds like a horrible thing, but back then it was something that happened often, especially if you hung around with me.

Vice

"We had an 18-game winner coming off the D.L. That's not something that happens very often".

The New York Times - Sports

"I had to turn down a meeting with Jamie Oliver because they didn't want to pay me and that's something that happens remarkably often.

The Guardian - Tech

I didn't see him coming at all – it is not something that happens too often at a track meet – but fortunately I was not hurt.

The Guardian

VINALHAVEN, Me. — Leaving the everyday pressures behind by escaping to your own island is the stuff dreams are made of, but it's not something that happens too often in real life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "something that happens often" to describe recurring events or situations in a clear and straightforward manner. It works well in both formal and informal contexts, providing a simple way to convey frequency.

Common error

While versatile, avoid overusing "something that happens often" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise or sophisticated alternatives like "a frequent occurrence" or "a common phenomenon" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something that happens often" functions as a nominal phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes an event, situation, or phenomenon that occurs frequently. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

16%

Science

13%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "something that happens often" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe recurring events or situations. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While versatile, it's best to avoid overusing it in highly formal contexts, opting for more sophisticated alternatives when appropriate. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, wiki and science sources. Consider alternatives like "a frequent occurrence" or "a common event" for a more concise and formal tone, tailoring your choice to the specific context and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a frequent occurrence

Replaces "something" with "a" and uses the noun "occurrence" to describe frequency.

a common event

Substitutes "something" with "a" and "happens" with "event" to emphasize the occurrence's commonality.

a regular phenomenon

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal and scientific term, "phenomenon", to indicate a recurring event.

often the case

This alternative is a shorter idiomatic expression indicating that something is frequently true.

frequently encountered

Focuses on the experience of encountering something regularly, rather than the event itself.

commonly observed

Highlights the act of observing something that occurs often, particularly in scientific or objective contexts.

a usual incident

Replaces "something" with "a" and uses "incident" to describe a typical occurrence.

routinely experienced

Emphasizes the routine nature of the experience, suggesting a predictable and frequent occurrence.

habitually present

Suggests a recurring presence or existence, indicating something that is characteristically there.

typically seen

Focuses on the typicality of seeing or observing something, rather than the event itself.

FAQs

How can I use "something that happens often" in a sentence?

You can use "something that happens often" to describe events or situations that occur frequently. For example, "Rain is "something that happens often" during the monsoon season".

What are some alternatives to "something that happens often"?

Alternatives include "a frequent occurrence", "a common event", or "often the case", depending on the context.

Is "something that happens often" formal or informal?

"Something that happens often" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider more sophisticated alternatives.

What's the difference between "something that happens often" and "a common occurrence"?

"Something that happens often" is a more descriptive phrase, while "a common occurrence" is a more concise and formal noun phrase that conveys the same meaning.