"very often" vs "all too often"

Question

"very often" vs "all too often"

Both "very often" and "all too often" are correct phrases, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Very often" simply means something happens frequently, while "all too often" implies that something happens more frequently than desired or expected.

Last Updated: April 01, 2024

Use "very often" to describe something that happens frequently or regularly.

Examples:

I go to the gym very often.
She visits her parents very often.
He gets distracted very often during meetings.
They eat out very often.
The bus is very often late.

Alternatives:

frequently
often
regularly

Use "all too often" to emphasize that something happens more frequently than is good or acceptable.

Examples:

All too often, people ignore the warning signs.
All too often, we take things for granted.
All too often, students procrastinate until the last minute.
All too often, accidents happen on this road.
All too often, we forget to appreciate what we have.

Alternatives:

too frequently
more often than not
over and over again

Answer 1

very often

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a high frequency of occurrence.

Answer 2

all too often

This phrase is correct and used to express a negative connotation about something happening more frequently than desired or expected.

"very often" vs "all too often"

very often

all too often

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