very often

USAGE SUMMARY

"very often" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize how often something happens or is done. For example: I go to the gym very often to maintain my physical health.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But not very often".

The New York Times

Very often I'm away.

The New York Times

It's used very often.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

" but not very often.

Yale University

That didn't happen very often.

The New Yorker

"We see it very often".

The New York Times

This doesn't happen very often.

Independent

Not very often, it seems.

The Economist

"We'll see them very often".

The New York Times

"Not very often," she said.

The New Yorker

They are very often profound.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience: While acceptable, "very often" may sometimes be replaced with more precise language in formal writing for greater impact.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "very often" in your writing; explore synonyms like "frequently", "regularly", or more specific descriptions to enhance clarity and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very often" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the frequency of an action. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it enhances the description of how frequently something occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very often" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates a high frequency of occurrence. As highlighted by Ludwig, it functions effectively across a range of contexts, particularly in news and media. While acceptable, more formal writing may benefit from synonyms like "frequently" or "regularly". To avoid overuse, consider varying your vocabulary with alternatives such as "quite often" or "on many occasions". Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and provides ample real-world examples to guide your usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite often

Similar in meaning, but with a slightly less emphatic tone.

frequently

A more concise and formal synonym, suitable for various contexts.

regularly

Implies a consistent pattern or routine.

oftentimes

A slightly more archaic but still acceptable alternative.

repeatedly

Focuses on the recurrence of an event.

on many occasions

More formal and emphasizes the number of instances.

in many instances

Highlights multiple occurrences, suitable for formal contexts.

time and time again

Emphasizes the continuous repetition of something.

as a rule

Indicates that something happens generally or typically.

generally speaking

Describes a broad tendency or common occurrence.

FAQs

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

You can use "very often" to indicate that something happens frequently. For example: "I visit my family "very often"", or "She practices the piano "very often" to improve her skills."

What are some alternatives to "very often"?

Alternatives include "frequently", "regularly", "oftentimes", or "quite often". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to use "very often" or "frequently"?

Both "very often" and "frequently" are correct and usable. "Frequently" is generally considered more formal and concise, while "very often" can add emphasis or sound more conversational.

What is the difference between "often" and "very often"?

"Often" indicates that something occurs regularly or in many cases. "Very often" amplifies this, suggesting that the event happens with greater frequency or on numerous occasions.