Often vs Oftener: The Main Differences And When To Use Them

Are you often confused about when to use “often” and when to use “oftener”? Well, you’re not alone. These two words are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences between them. In this article, we’ll explore the proper usage of these words and their meanings.

Firstly, “often” is the more commonly used word of the two. It means “frequently” or “many times.” For example, “I often go to the gym in the morning.” It’s important to note that “often” can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

On the other hand, “oftener” is the comparative form of “often.” It means “more frequently” or “more often.” For example, “I go to the gym oftener than my friend does.” However, it’s worth noting that “oftener” is not commonly used in modern English and is often considered archaic.

Now that we’ve established the difference between “often” and “oftener,” let’s dive deeper into their usage.

Define Often

Often is an adverb that refers to something that occurs frequently or regularly. It is used to describe the frequency of an action or event. Often can be used to indicate a repeated action that happens at regular intervals or a behavior that is habitual.

Define Oftener

Oftener is the comparative form of often. It is used to describe something that happens more frequently than something else. Oftener is used to compare the frequency of two or more actions or events.

For example, if someone says “I go to the gym often,” it means that they go to the gym on a regular basis. However, if someone says “I go to the gym oftener than I used to,” it means that they are going to the gym more frequently than they did in the past.

The use of oftener is less common in modern English and is often replaced by the word “more often.”

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to using words in a sentence, it’s important to know the nuances between similar words. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between “often” and “oftener” and how to use them properly.

How To Use “Often” In A Sentence

“Often” is an adverb that describes the frequency of an action or occurrence. It is often used to indicate something that happens regularly or repeatedly.

Here are some examples of how to use “often” in a sentence:

• I often go to the gym after work.
• She often forgets her keys.
• We often eat pizza on Fridays.

As you can see from these examples, “often” is used to describe actions that happen with some frequency.

How To Use “Oftener” In A Sentence

“Oftener” is a comparative form of “often”. It is used to describe something that happens more frequently than something else.

Here are some examples of how to use “oftener” in a sentence:

• He goes to the gym oftener than I do.
• She forgets her keys oftener than he does.
• We eat pizza oftener than we should.

As you can see from these examples, “oftener” is used to compare the frequency of two actions or occurrences. It is important to note that “oftener” is not used as frequently as “often” and may sound awkward in some sentences.

More Examples Of Often & Oftener Used In Sentences

In this section, we will explore more examples of how often and oftener can be used in sentences. These examples will help to clarify the meaning and usage of these two similar words.

Examples Of Using Often In A Sentence

• She often goes to the gym in the morning.
• He often forgets to turn off the lights when he leaves the room.
• I often listen to music while I work.
• The restaurant is often crowded on weekends.
• She often speaks in a soft voice.
• He often wears a hat to keep the sun out of his eyes.
• We often take walks in the park after dinner.
• The movie often makes me cry.
• She often volunteers at the local animal shelter.
• He often reads books about history.

Examples Of Using Oftener In A Sentence

• She goes to the gym oftener than he does.
• He forgets to turn off the lights oftener than she does.
• I listen to music oftener than I watch TV.
• The restaurant is crowded oftener on weekdays than on weekends.
• She speaks in a soft voice oftener than she speaks loudly.
• He wears a hat oftener in the summer than in the winter.
• We take walks in the park oftener in the fall than in the spring.
• The movie makes me cry oftener than it makes me laugh.
• She volunteers at the local animal shelter oftener than he does.
• He reads books about history oftener than he reads novels.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words often and oftener, many people tend to use them interchangeably without realizing that they have different meanings. Here are some common mistakes people make when using these words and how to avoid them:

Mistake #1: Using Often And Oftener As Synonyms

Often and oftener are not synonyms. Often is used to describe something that happens frequently or repeatedly, while oftener is used to describe something that happens more frequently than something else. For example, “I often go to the gym” means that I go to the gym frequently, while “I go to the gym oftener than my friend” means that I go to the gym more frequently than my friend does.

Mistake #2: Overusing Often

Another common mistake is overusing the word often. While it is a useful word, using it too frequently can make your writing sound repetitive and dull. Instead, try using synonyms such as frequently, regularly, or commonly.

Mistake #3: Using Often Inappropriately

Sometimes people use often inappropriately, such as in the phrase “very often.” This is redundant, as often already implies frequency. Instead, try using adverbs such as frequently, regularly, or commonly to add emphasis.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

• Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for often and oftener to add variety to your writing.
• Think about the context in which you are using often or oftener, and choose the appropriate word based on its meaning.
• Avoid using often too frequently, and consider using other adverbs to add variety.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “often” and “oftener,” context is key. The decision between these two words can depend on the specific situation in which they are being used.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a closer look at some different contexts and how the choice between “often” and “oftener” might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Preferred Word
Frequency	I visit my grandparents _____ (often/oftener) than I used to.	oftener
Comparison	John exercises _____ (often/oftener) than his brother.	oftener
General Statement	It is important to _____ (often/oftener) check your email for updates.	often
Emphasis	I _____ (often/oftener) tell my students to double-check their work before submitting it.	often

In the context of frequency, “oftener” is typically the preferred word. For example, if you visit your grandparents more frequently than you used to, you might say “I visit my grandparents oftener than I used to.”

When making a comparison, “oftener” is also generally preferred. For instance, if John exercises more frequently than his brother, you might say “John exercises oftener than his brother.”

However, when making a general statement, “often” is usually the better choice. For example, if you want to emphasize the importance of checking your email regularly, you might say “It is important to often check your email for updates.”

Finally, in some cases, the choice between “often” and “oftener” may be a matter of emphasis. If you want to stress the importance of a particular action or behavior, “often” might be the better choice. For example, if you frequently remind your students to double-check their work, you might say “I often tell my students to double-check their work before submitting it.”

Exceptions To The Rules

While often and oftener have specific rules for usage, there are some exceptions to these rules that are worth exploring. Here are a few examples:

1. Comparing Unequal Actions

When comparing two actions that are unequal in terms of frequency, oftener can be used to emphasize the difference. For example:

• John goes to the gym often, but Mary goes to the gym oftener.
• Tom reads books often, but his sister reads books oftener.

In these cases, oftener is being used to indicate that one person is doing the action more frequently than the other.

2. Emphasizing Frequency

While often is the more common choice for indicating frequency, oftener can be used to emphasize just how often something is happening. For example:

• The dog barks often when people walk by, but he barks oftener when the mailman comes.
• She goes to the beach often during the summer, but she goes oftener when the weather is particularly nice.

In these cases, oftener is being used to indicate that the frequency is particularly high or noteworthy.

3. Regional Differences

It’s worth noting that there may be regional differences in how often and oftener are used. For example, in some parts of the world, oftener may be more commonly used than often, or the two words may be used interchangeably.

It’s important to be aware of these differences if you’re communicating with people from other regions or countries, as using the wrong word could cause confusion.

Overall, while the rules for often and oftener are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions worth noting. By understanding these exceptions, you can use these words more effectively and communicate more clearly.

Practice Exercises

Improving one’s understanding and use of often and oftener requires practice. Here are some exercises to help you become more comfortable with these words:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Complete the following sentences with either often or oftener:

1. I ___________ go to the gym in the morning.
2. She ___________ reads books instead of watching TV.
3. We should ___________ remind ourselves of our goals.
4. He ___________ complains about his job.
5. They ___________ eat out on weekends.

Answer Key:
1. often
2. oftener
3. often
4. often
5. oftener

Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence

Rewrite the following sentences to use either often or oftener:

Original Sentence	Rewritten Sentence
He rarely exercises.	He doesn’t exercise ___________ enough.
She frequently forgets her keys.	She forgets her keys ___________ than she remembers them.
They go on vacation every year.	They ___________ go on vacation.

Answer Key:
1. often
2. oftener
3. often

By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of often and oftener. Remember to pay attention to the context and frequency of the action when choosing which word to use.

Conclusion

After exploring the usage of “often” and “oftener,” it is clear that these words have distinct meanings and should be used appropriately in written and spoken language. Here are the key takeaways from this article:

1. “Often” Is The More Commonly Used Word

While “oftener” is a valid comparative form of “often,” it is not commonly used in modern English. Writers and speakers should be aware of this and choose “often” in most cases.

2. “Oftener” Is Appropriate In Certain Contexts

There are times when “oftener” is the more appropriate word choice, such as when comparing two actions or events that occur with varying frequency. In these cases, using “oftener” can add precision and clarity to the language.

3. Understanding Grammar And Language Use Is Important

As with any aspect of language, understanding grammar and proper usage is important for effective communication. By continuing to learn and improve our language skills, we can become better writers, speakers, and communicators.

Overall, choosing the right word to express our thoughts and ideas is essential for effective communication. By understanding the nuances of words like “often” and “oftener,” we can improve our language use and convey our messages more clearly.