Often times
Maybe I'm paying attention more, but it seems that people are saying "oftentimes" more often.
For instance, some would say, "Oftentimes, I think about my mom."
Isn't that redundant? "Often" takes care of that concept, so the addition of "times" is really integrated within the meaning of "often."
It's so unnecessary, it stands out when people use it, and then they just keep on talking as if it's not a big deal that they are being redundant.
Also, why is the official spelling one word? It seems like it should be two words: "often times." But that's a secondary concern because I hear people say it more than they write it.
posted by mj @ 11:37 AM
19 Comments:
I like "oftentimes" and, in my opinion, use it in a more formal register, like I would "amongst" instead of "among". From a regional perspective, perhaps "oftentimes" is used more in Canada than the US.
And why shouldn't it be written in one word? So, too, is "sometimes".
True--I hadn't thought of it with a similar construction as "sometimes". So in a way, it's a variation of that word, just doing something more frequently. But I still think that "often" is good enough :) Or maybe I'm just a simple-minded American ;)
Using the phrase "often times" is not only redundant, it is incorrect. Saying "often" is always sufficient. There is no reason two use two words where one word entirely conveys what you want to say.
That's what I've been thinking.
i totally agree with you often times or oftentimes IS redundant... it also sounds horrible.
I heard it several times today--I don't think people realize that it sounds redundant.
For what it's worth - this drives me f-ing crazy! It's definately a California thing, can't comment on the rest of the US. I thought it was just my boss's poor English for a while (she's South American) but I hear it everyday; it's killing me...
It's not just a California thing--I think southerners use it too. I don't hear it in Chicago a lot, but it still seems to be spreading throughout the U.S., especially when well-known people use it. I never do!
I'm a UK-based editor of science articles. I'm working on a manuscript written by an author in Illinois, who has used 'often times' several times - needless to say, I'll be changing this throughout the article!
Wow--I'm also from Illinois, but never use such words. But there are plenty of people who use it, so it's probably correct. But if I were to read it, especially through a science article, I'd get pretty annoyed :D
That's cool that you're in the UK and are editing stuff my my American state :D
Well, we scientists can move around a lot and pick up the local lingo!
My author worked in Wisconsin and then California before moving to Illinois, so perhaps that has a bearing ;) The article's great so I'll forgive him!
I work with authors from all round the world - the location doesn't matter but the author needs to be a top scientist, a leader in the field so to speak. Sometimes native English-speaking authors have poorer written English than their Japanese/French/German counterparts :)
Yeah--with the Internet you can obviously work anywhere.
Are you a scientist, or just an editor of science stuff?
Yep, I'm a biologist with broad interests. I did postdoc research in a number of different fields until ~3 years ago.
I completely disagree.
Oftentimes is the opposite of sometimes. I think its a charming word. If you don't like it, then don't use it.
I didn't think of that--that "often" simply replaces "some".
I do medical transcription for US hospitals in another country. I often hear the word 'majority of the pain.' Is this typically American usage, as the word 'majority' generally is used to refer to a countable numbner of people or things and pain is an abstract noun?
Well, as you know, spoken language isn't always grammatical correct, so people do use "majority" for non-countable nouns when they speak.
Oftentimes, and even oftimes, often times does seem to me at certain, if not often, times redundant. If oftentimes often times appeals it should, even then, be considered wordy.
Seems like you often think about it
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