chen
“more often than not” vs. "usually" I found following examples containing the phrase “more often than not.” 1. In winter the days are very short, and more often than not you’re driving with your headlights on. 2. These flowers will live through the winter more often than not 3. This kind of dog will grow up to be a good watchdog more often than not. I checked the dictionary, the phrase means “usually.” Why do you think people still use this phrase to express “usually” if one word alone is suffice to express the same idea? Or do you think there is a subtle difference between “usually” and “more often than not,” if so, what do you that is? Thanks
16 juil. 2013 02:57
Réponses · 13
1
Different reasons. Sometimes people get used to saying things a certain way or they hear it at work. But also, if you are writing something it's good to have multiple ways to say things so you aren't repeating things over and over. Words are like tools when writing letters/stories etc.
16 juillet 2013
1
remember most languages have colloquial expressions, jargon, slang, etc, and this is one example. "more often than not" is the colloquial expression of "usually" to express that something is done/implemented frequently.
16 juillet 2013
Vous n'avez pas encore trouvé vos réponses ?
Écrivez vos questions et profitez de l'aide des locuteurs natifs !