If you’ve ever paused mid-sentence wondering whether to write “oftentimes” or “often times,” you’re not alone. These two forms look similar. They sound almost the same. They appear everywhere online. Still only one of them is correct in modern English.
This guide clears up everything in a simple, conversational, and practical way. You’ll learn where oftentimes comes from, why often times feels right but isn’t, and when to use each term with confidence.
You’ll also see examples, tables, usage notes, and even a few case studies to help the ideas stick.
Let’s dive in.
Oftentimes vs Often Times — Why Writers Get Confused
English loves merging and splitting words. Think of anymore vs any more, everyday vs every day, and altogether vs all together. Those pairs confuse people for the same reason oftentimes vs often times does.
You’re basically looking at:
- A correct, historically grounded word → oftentimes
- A modern spacing mistake that looks logical but isn’t → often times
Readers often blend the two because “many times” is a natural phrase. So “often times” feels like it should work. It doesn’t. And knowing why helps you avoid the trap.
The Origin Story of “Oftentimes”
The word oftentimes didn’t appear randomly. It grew out of real linguistic history, and its story goes back centuries.
Middle English Roots
In Middle English, writers used forms like:
- oft (meaning “frequently”)
- oftentimes (a compound form evolving from “oft” and “times”)
- oftensith (an older form that meant “often enough”)
During this era English started forming new adverbs by combining roots with nouns, especially those referring to time or events. The same process gave us sometimes, always, and afterwards.
Why “Oftentimes” Became Common in Early America
American English tends to preserve older forms. While British English abandoned oftentimes for the shorter often, Americans kept both. That’s why you’ll still hear oftentimes in speeches, sermons, and formal writing.
A handful of early American lawmakers and authors—even Abraham Lincoln—used oftentimes because it added rhythm and emphasis in long sentences.
A Useful Note
Oftentimes may feel old-fashioned, but it’s grammatically correct, historically grounded, and widely recognized by all major dictionaries and style guides.
What Happened to “Often Times”?
If oftentimes is correct, where did the spaced-out version come from?
It Looks Logical
Because English allows phrases like:
- many times
- several times
- few times
- sometimes (which used to be two words)
…the mind tries to treat often as a modifier of times.
But here’s the catch:
“Often times” has no historical or grammatical basis.
How Misuse Spread Online
Several modern factors help the incorrect form spread:
- Autocorrect occasionally splits words it doesn’t recognize
- Casual writers assume it functions like “many times”
- Non-native speakers mimic patterns from blogs and social media
- SEO content mills often publish without proofreading
Examples of Incorrect Use
Here are real patterns of incorrect usage:
- ❌ She visits the library often times during exam week.
- ❌ Often times you’ll see people mixing these terms.
Small errors snowball. That’s how the incorrect phrase lodged itself into digital writing.
Usage in Modern English: What Writers Really Use
Writers today lean toward short, punchy prose. Because of that, often is the most common choice.
General Preference
- often → widely used across all forms of writing
- oftentimes → used in American English but less common
- often times → rarely used in edited, professional writing
British vs American Usage
| Region | Preferred Form | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | often, oftentimes | Americans accept both but use “often” more |
| United Kingdom | often | “Oftentimes” is rare and sounds old-fashioned |
| Canada / Australia | often | Similar to U.K. usage |
Why Professional Writers Avoid “Often Times”
Because editors reject it.
Because style guides reject it.
Because it doesn’t follow English grammar patterns.
Even AI grammar tools flag “often times” as an error every single time.
Understanding “Oftentimes” in Real Context
Oftentimes works best when you want rhythm, emphasis, or a slightly formal tone. It adds weight to a sentence that often doesn’t provide.
When It Fits Naturally
- When you’re building narrative rhythm
- When you want emphasis without sounding emotional
- When you’re writing essays or speeches
Examples in Action
Casual tone:
- Oftentimes I forget where I left my keys.
Formal tone:
- Oftentimes the data reveals patterns we didn’t expect.
Academic style:
- Oftentimes researchers overlook long-term trend variations.
Storytelling:
- Oftentimes the old house felt alive, whispering secrets through the halls.
Each example sounds natural and deliberate.
Why “Often” Usually Wins (But Not Always)
“Often” is short. Clean. Straight to the point.
Modern English leans toward brevity. That’s why “often” appears more frequently than “oftentimes.” But that doesn’t mean you should never use the longer form.
When “Oftentimes” Adds Value
- When you want a slower, more expressive rhythm
- When often feels too abrupt
- When writing to create emphasis or style
When It Becomes Redundant
- In short, quick sentences
- In business emails where clarity matters most
- When it appears multiple times in a paragraph
A quick guideline:
If you’d use “sometimes” in a sentence, you can often use “oftentimes” for parallel rhythm.
Grammar Deep Dive: Why “Often Times” Is Incorrect
English forms adverbs in a predictable pattern:
- sometimes
- oftentimes
- afterwards
- upwards
- always
You’ll notice something interesting.
There’s no pattern in English where an adverb (“often”) directly modifies “times.”
Why the Structure Breaks
To be correct, often would need to modify a verb, not a noun.
Compare:
- She visits often. âś”
- She visits many times. âś”
- She visits often times. ❌
“Times” can’t serve as an adverbial unit in this context. It stays a plural noun, which makes the phrase ungrammatical.
A Simple Test
Try pluralizing “times” into a number phrase:
- She visits five times. âś”
- She visits often times. ❌
The structure doesn’t hold.
Cultural & Regional Differences
How you perceive oftentimes often depends on where you learned English.
American English
- Accepts oftentimes
- Uses it in speeches, literature, and essays
- Still prefers “often” for everyday writing
British English
- Rarely uses oftentimes
- Views it as old or overly formal
- By default uses “often”
Writers’ Observations
Many editors note that British writers remove oftentimes during proofreading because it feels out of place.
Comparison Table: Oftentimes vs Often vs Often Times
| Feature | Oftentimes | Often | Often Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Correct? | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ❌ No |
| Type | Adverb | Adverb | Incorrect phrase |
| Tone | Slightly formal, rhythmic | Neutral | Error |
| Frequency | Less common | Most common | Rare, incorrect |
| Typical Use | Essays, speeches, literary writing | Everyday writing | Mistaken usage |
| Accepted in American English? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Accepted in British English? | Rarely | Yes | No |
Alternatives, Synonyms & Antonyms
Sometimes you don’t want to repeat “often” or “oftentimes.” Here are clean options.
Synonyms
- frequently
- regularly
- repeatedly
- commonly
- many times
- on many occasions
Antonyms
- seldom
- rarely
- almost never
- infrequently
Best Choice in Professional Writing
Most editors rank choices like this:
- often
- frequently
- regularly
- oftentimes (when stylistic rhythm matters)
Case Studies
Real-life scenarios help cement the difference. Here are three.
Case Study 1: Academic Writing
A research student repeatedly used “often times” in her thesis.
Her supervisor marked every instance as incorrect.
Before:
Often times the participants responded differently during follow-ups.
After:
Oftentimes the participants responded differently during follow-ups.
The corrected version aligned with academic standards.
Case Study 2: Business Email
A project manager wrote emails using “oftentimes” too frequently.
His editor suggested using “often” to maintain clarity.
Revised Guideline:
Use “often” in business communication unless needing specific emphasis.
Case Study 3: Storytelling
A novelist replaced “often” with “oftentimes” in moments where the rhythm mattered.
Sentence:
Oftentimes the rain felt like a second character in the story.
The longer adverb added mood and cadence.
Quotes from Linguists & Writers
“Oftentimes survives because English loves rhythm.” — Language Historian
“Often is shorter but not always more effective.” — Creative Writing Coach
“Spacing errors create new mistakes the dictionary never approved.” — Editor
FAQs
Is “oftentimes” grammatically correct?
Yes. It’s an established adverb with historical roots and dictionary approval.
Is “often times” ever correct?
No. It’s a spacing mistake and not a recognized English phrase.
Can I use “often” instead of “oftentimes”?
Absolutely. In fact it’s usually the best choice for modern writing.
Why does “often times” appear online?
Because of autocorrect, misinterpretation, and unedited content circulating across the web.
Is “oftentimes” outdated?
Not really. It’s less common but still used in American English for emphasis or rhythm.
Conclusion
You only need one line to keep this straight:
“Oftentimes” is correct. “Often times” isn’t. “Often” is your safest everyday choice.
Use often for clean writing, oftentimes for emphasis, and avoid often times entirely. Once you internalize this simple rule you’ll write with more confidence and clarity.
Aiden Brooks is an educational writer dedicated to simplifying grammar for learners of all levels. He creates clear, practical explanations that help students read, write, and understand English with confidence.
