English Profile

often · adverb

/ˈɔː.fən/Full view

often (REGULARLY)

A1 many times or regularly

Dictionary examples:

I often shop there.

I often have a glass of milk before bed.

How often do you wash your hair?

I don't see him very often.

It's not often you meet someone who you immediately like.

I don't see my parents as often as I'd like to.

Learner example:

We often [go] swimming together. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Polish)

often (NORMAL/TRUE)

B2 If something often happens or is often true, it is normal for it to happen, or it is usually true.

Dictionary examples:

Brothers and sisters often argue.

Headaches are often caused by stress.

It often rains in April.

Learner example:

Very often, people link classical music to Austrian or German [composers], [such] as Mozart or Handel, but rarely to England and genius[es] [such] as Haydn and Purcell. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

every so often

C2 sometimes, but not often

Dictionary example:

He went into town every so often to buy supplies.

Learner example:

And likewise, common sense tells us it doesn't matter that oranges from Spain contain 0.01% more vitamin C than those from Florid[a], as long as we eat them every once in a while. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)