too often

USAGE SUMMARY

"too often" is a correct and usable part of speech in written English.
You can use it to describe a frequency that is greater than what is desired or appropriate. For example: I find myself checking my phone too often during work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— too often.

The New Yorker

Too often.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Too often, they miss.

The New York Times - Sports

Adults, too, often struggle.

The New Yorker

Franklin fumbled too often.

The New York Times - Sports

Just not too often".

The New Yorker

That's happening too often.

The New York Times

Too often in N.Y.C.

The New York Times

Changing drums too often?

Yale University

"This is too often forgotten".

The New York Times

Too often, form trumps function.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "too often" to express concern or disapproval about the frequency of an action or event. It's effective for pointing out negative patterns or habits.

Common error

While "too often" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Consider more precise alternatives like "frequently" or "repeatedly", or rephrase to emphasize the impact rather than just the frequency.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "too often" is to act as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the frequency of an action, suggesting it occurs more than desired. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and widespread.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

22%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "too often" is a grammatically sound and widely used adverbial phrase that conveys a negative assessment of frequency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct part of speech. It is most common in News & Media and Wiki sources, denoting that something occurs more than is desirable. When writing, be mindful of overuse in formal contexts, and consider using more precise alternatives when appropriate. Understanding the nuances of "too often" allows for more effective and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more than is desirable

Directly expresses the idea of exceeding a desired frequency, closely mirroring the meaning of "too often".

more frequently than necessary

Expresses the idea of exceeding a needed frequency, closely mirroring the meaning of "too often".

excessively

Highlights that something is happening to an extreme degree, mirroring the overabundance implied by "too often".

with undue regularity

A more formal way of saying something happens "too often", emphasizing the inappropriate frequency.

overly

Indicates that something is done to an excessive degree, similar to "too often" but slightly less direct.

very frequently

Emphasizes the high rate of occurrence more strongly than "frequently", closer to the intensity of "too often".

all the time

Implies a constant or near-constant occurrence, carrying a sense of excess similar to "too often".

frequently

Implies a high rate of occurrence, similar to "too often" but without the negative connotation.

repeatedly

Suggests that something occurs multiple times, potentially to an undesirable extent.

on numerous occasions

Indicates frequent occurrences, though more formal and less critical than "too often".

FAQs

What does "too often" mean?

"Too often" signifies that something is happening more frequently than is desirable or acceptable. It usually carries a negative connotation, implying that the repeated occurrence is problematic.

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

You can use "too often" to modify a verb, indicating the frequency of an action. For example, "I check my phone "more than is desirable"." or "He is late "frequently"."

What are some alternatives to saying "too often"?

Alternatives include "frequently", "excessively", "repeatedly", or "more than is desirable", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to use "too often"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Too" modifies the adverb "often", indicating an excessive degree of frequency. Ludwig confirms that it is a usable part of speech.