more often than not

Thân thiện

More often than not, the sun shines brightly in the afternoon.

Definition

Adverb: Usually; in most cases; more than half the time. It indicates that something happens with greater frequency than it does not happen.

Usage

This adverbial phrase is used to describe a general tendency or a common outcome, rather than an absolute certainty. It is typically placed at the beginning or the end of a clause.

Examples

• More often than not, the simplest solution is the best one.
• She arrives late, more often than not.
• When I try to cook something new, more often than not, it turns out well.

Advanced Usage

• In formal or analytical writing: The phrase can be used to summarize a statistical trend or a predominant pattern without claiming it is universal.
  • The data shows that, more often than not, patients responded positively to the treatment.

Variants and Related Words

• As often as not: A less common variant with a very similar meaning.
  • As often as not, he forgets his keys.

Synonyms

• Usually
• Generally
• Typically
• Most of the time
• In general
• As a rule

Related Phrases

• Nine times out of ten: An idiomatic expression with a similar meaning, implying a very high probability.
  • Nine times out of ten, he takes the bus to work.

Học thuật

Adverb

1. usually; as a rule
   • by and large it doesn't rain much here

Từ đồng nghĩa

• by and large
• generally
• mostly