would often

USAGE SUMMARY

"would often" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a regular or repeated action in the past. For example: "I would often go for walks in the park when I was younger."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Perron would often seek her help.

The New York Times - Sports

He would often come in late.

The New Yorker

Members would often act as human shields.

The New York Times

He would often walk away with tips.

The New York Times

This would often be the market.

The Economist

Her forehand would often break down.

The New York Times

Twitter's lights would often go out.

The New York Times

"I've been there," Claire would often say.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We would often get the giggles.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Catcalls and aggressive approaches would often occur.

The Guardian

He would often offer his opinion.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "frequently did" or "customarily engaged in" instead of "would often".

Common error

Avoid using "would often" to describe present habits. This phrase is specifically for past actions that occurred regularly. For current habits, use "often" with the present tense, for example: "I often go for walks."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would often" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase indicating a habitual or repeated action in the past. Ludwig examples show its common use in describing past routines or tendencies. The phrase combines the modal verb "would" with the adverb "often" to convey frequency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would often" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe recurring or habitual actions in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, primarily in news and media. Alternatives like "frequently did" or "tended to" can be used for stylistic variation. When writing, remember that "would often" should only be used for past habits, and avoid mixing it with present tense. The phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for a wide range of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frequently did

Replaces "would often" with a more direct emphasis on frequency.

tended to

Indicates a natural or prevailing inclination.

regularly used to

Emphasizes the regularity and past nature of the action.

had a tendency to

Focuses on a natural inclination or tendency.

habitually performed

Highlights the habitual nature of the action.

was in the habit of

Highlights the action as a formed habit.

on many occasions

Focuses on the repeated occurrence of the action.

customarily engaged in

Formal alternative emphasizing established custom.

was prone to

Suggests a susceptibility or likelihood of the action.

was wont to

Archaic alternative emphasizing a customary behavior.

FAQs

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

"Would often" is used to describe a recurring action or habit in the past. For example, "He "would often" visit his grandmother after school."

What are some alternatives to "would often"?

You can use alternatives like "frequently did", "regularly used to", or "had a tendency to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "would often" for present habits?

No, "would often" is used for past habits. For present habits, use "often" with the present tense. For example, use "I often go" instead of "I "would often" go" for current habits.

What is the difference between "would often" and "used to"?

While both describe past habits, "used to" implies a complete cessation of the habit, whereas "would often" simply suggests a recurring action without necessarily implying it has stopped entirely.