In the ever-changing landscape of the English language, it’s no surprise that words can sometimes be a source of confusion and controversy, even for native speakers. One such source of debate is the usage of “oftenly” versus “often.” So, let’s put this question to rest once and for all: which is correct?
The truth is, “often” is the correct and widely accepted usage, while “oftenly” is considered outdated and even incorrect by most language purists. The adverb “often” means “frequently” or “on many occasions” and has been in use for centuries. On the other hand, “oftenly” is the result of adding the “-ly” suffix to “often,” in an attempt to create an adverb form. However, this usage never gained widespread acceptance and has fallen out of favor in modern English.
To understand why “oftenly” is considered incorrect, we need to learn the rules of English grammar. Adverbs are typically formed by adding the suffix “-ly” to an adjective, as in “quickly,” “slowly,” or “easily.” However, not all adjectives can be transformed into adverbs this way. Some adjectives, like “fast,” “hard,” or “early,” have irregular forms as adverbs. Similarly, “often” is one of those adverbs that doesn’t require the “-ly” suffix to convey its meaning. It is perfectly acceptable and grammatically correct to say, “I often go to the gym” or “He oftenly visits his grandparents.”
Furthermore, the usage of “oftenly” can seem awkward and unnatural to native speakers, simply because it is not commonly heard in everyday conversations. It falls outside the realm of our linguistic comfort zone and may give the impression of trying too hard to sound formal or sophisticated. In contrast, using “often” as an adverb feels natural and aligns with the way we use the English language on a day-to-day basis.
Let’s take a look at some examples to illustrate this further:
1. Incorrect: “I oftenly go to the movies on weekends.”
Correct: “I often go to the movies on weekends.”
2. Incorrect: “She oftenly forgets to turn off the lights.”
Correct: “She often forgets to turn off the lights.”
3. Incorrect: “They oftenly argue about trivial matters.”
Correct: “They often argue about trivial matters.”
As you can see, using “oftenly” in these sentences feels clunky and breaks the smooth flow of the sentence. Replacing it with “often” not only sounds more natural but also conforms to standard English usage.
In conclusion, the correct adverb form of “often” is simply “often.” While “oftenly” may have been used in the past, it has since fallen out of favor in modern English and is considered incorrect by most language experts. So, the next time you find yourself wondering about the correct usage, remember to stick with the tried and true “often.”