Master confusing words with ease
Often vs. Oftentimes
Often
/ˈɔftən/Examples:
She often works at the weekend.People who walk in their sleep are often ill.Stephen was often away in London, working on political business.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Oftentimes
/ˈɒfəntaɪmz/Examples:
Oftentimes, dreams can reveal our true desires.She would oftentimes reminisce about her childhood.He found himself oftentimes lost in thought while commuting.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- "Often" is a simpler word and is more commonly used than "oftentimes."
- "Oftentimes" is more formal or old-fashioned and is less frequent in modern usage.
- If you're writing formally or in older texts, "oftentimes" might appear as a more suitable choice.
- When in doubt, "often" is usually the safer, more universally understood word.
- Remember that "oftentimes" carries an extra syllable and therefore takes longer to pronounce.
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