Oftentimes

Oftentimes is an adverb meaning many times or frequently, used to indicate that something happens on numerous occasions or with regular repetition. It functions to describe frequency and can appear in various positions within a sentence, though it is most commonly placed before the main verb or after auxiliary verbs.

The word derives from the Old English oft, meaning often, and times. Historically, English writers used the two elements as "oft times" or sometimes as a single word. In modern usage, most dictionaries treat oftentimes as the standard modern form, while some older texts or more formal registers may prefer the two-word variant "oft times."

Usage notes often frame oftentimes as more formal or literary than the simpler often. Many contemporary style guides favor "often" for conciseness and directness, and some writers regard oftentimes as stylistically dated or verbose. Regional variation exists, with oftentimes appearing more frequently in American English than in contemporary British English, where it is less common in everyday speech and writing.

Examples include sentences such as: Oftentimes, challenges arise from simple misunderstandings. She oftentimes reflects on past decisions before making a new plan. In most modern writing, however, often is sufficient to convey the same meaning in a more concise way.