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Is it natural to say 'often times' ?

16 replies
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Is it natural to say 'often times' ?

Thanks

PBF
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Yes: He often times his attacks very well.
Perhaps you mean oftentimes, which means often? The shorter word is used more frequently.
CB
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:
Thanks for your reply Cool Breeze. Yes, I mean 'oftentimes'. So is it correct to say that 'oftentimes' is more formal than 'often'?

Thank you again

PBF
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PeaceblinkfriendSo is it correct to say that 'oftentimes' is more formal than 'often'?

In my opinion it is but I think the native speakers are better experts. You'll have to wait for their views.
CB
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oftentimes is not a word I hear much. It doesn't sound that natural to me, no. It doesn't really sound formal to me, either. I don't use it. I say often.

CJ
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Anonymous:
It's an American thing. No-one says it here in the U.K.

<Unless they're a Yank!!>
Anonymous:
I have come across this word plenty in my senior essays, but I rather think it is stuffy and redundant. Why not use often instead? It is shorter and means the same thing. I don't know where my students are hearing or seeing this usage.

Jeana Rock
Anonymous:
"oftentimes" is not a word. In terms of English grammar rules, it is impossible for "oftentimes" to be a real word. "Often" is an adverb. "Times" is a noun. Adverbs do not modify nouns. "Sometimes" works, however, because "some" is an adjective, while "times" is a noun. Adjectives modify nouns. Just because people use "oftentimes" does not make it correct. The correct terms to use in its place are "often" and "frequently."
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Hi,

My Concise Oxford Dictionary lists 'oftentimes' as a word meaning 'often'.

I say it, and hear it, occasionally. To my mind, it has a casual, folksy kind of ring to it.

Clive
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