this happens often

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this happens often" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or event that occurs frequently or regularly. Example: "In our meetings, this happens often when we discuss project updates; team members tend to interrupt each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

This happens often enough.

The New York Times

This happens often.

The New York Times

I ask if this happens often.

The Guardian - Travel

Sometimes this happens, often it does not.

The Guardian

MOORE: This happens often in schools and journalism.

Harvard University

This happens often in his line of work.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

This happens oftener and oftener, until you find your jotting pad crammed with thesaurus numbers (74.17, 658.11, 215.22, 236.2).

The New York Times - Books

I see this happen often.

The Guardian

Elinor has seen this happen often.

The Guardian - Books

"No, I don't". Does this happen often?

The Guardian

There were a lot of bass solos, so this happened often.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this happens often" to indicate that a situation or event is not an isolated incident but rather a recurring pattern. This can be particularly effective when providing context or explaining why certain actions are taken.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "this happens often". While the phrase is grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your sentence structure and use synonyms to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this happens often" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the frequency of an event or situation. Ludwig shows the phrase is often used to add context and explain why certain things occur.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

17%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this happens often" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate the frequency of an event or situation. According to Ludwig, it functions as an adverbial phrase, adding context and explaining recurring patterns. While suitable for various contexts, it's best to avoid overuse and vary sentence structure for stylistic purposes. Examples show its frequent use in news, media, and scientific articles. The Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and usefulness in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this frequently occurs

Replaces "happens" with the more formal "occurs" and "often" with "frequently", increasing the formality.

this recurs frequently

Highlights the repetitive nature of the event or situation.

this is a common occurrence

Transforms the phrase into a noun-based expression, emphasizing the event's commonality.

this is a frequent event

Similar to the previous phrase, but uses "event" instead of "occurrence".

such instances are commonplace

Uses a more formal and emphatic way of saying something is a usual occurrence.

this regularly transpires

Employs more formal vocabulary like "transpires" and "regularly", elevating the register.

this is a recurring phenomenon

Applies a more academic tone, suitable for scientific or analytical contexts.

it often unfolds this way

Uses a more descriptive verb, "unfolds", to add detail to the expression.

it is a common practice

Focuses on the action being a standard way of doing things.

this is typical

A shorter, more direct way of expressing that something is not unusual.

FAQs

How can I use "this happens often" in a sentence?

You can use "this happens often" to describe a recurring situation. For example: "During peak hours, "this happens often", leading to delays."

What are some alternatives to "this happens often"?

Alternatives include "this frequently occurs", "this is a common occurrence", or "it is typical". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "this happens often" grammatically correct?

Yes, "this happens often" is grammatically correct and widely used in both spoken and written English. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness of this phrase.

What's the difference between "this happens often" and "this happened often"?

"This happens often" refers to a recurring event in the present, while "this happened often" refers to a recurring event in the past. For example, "This happens often during rush hour" vs "this happened often before the new traffic light was installed".