"relying on" oftentimes

"Relying on tried and proven methods
oftentimes prevents lamentable consequences" is correct.

WELCOME to the forum, Jose.





David

David is right. The first sentence is the correct one, when you use the singular form of the verb: "Relying.....prevents lamentable consequences."

In the UK, we would not use "oftentimes". That is an American usage. "Often" is sufficient for us.

We don't use it much either; close to never.

It's been standard English since the 14th century, but, like many words, has fallen out of use in British English but is still going strong in the American variety.

Often is sufficient for us too.

Not in the US I have lived in, the short version being Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Albuqueque. It's true that the usage exists here, but saying it is going strong is a misperception.

I just meant "not dead"; that is what we in the UK tend to mean by "going strong". My father is 92 and going strong. He is still alive, but he wouldn't win any athletic events (or memory contests).

Ok, thanks for clarifying. I think I've heard or read 'oft times' too.

You can tell I haven't lived in the so called US south - I've no idea if it is used more there. Of course, the US south is not related entirely to latitude, but that is another whole subject.

I'll add, I'm sure I've read it more than I've ever heard 'oftentimes' spoken and I've read a lot of fiction of different years.

I wouldn't say that, Osso. It is going strong, comparatively so. But a comparison made to 'often' isn't really fair. That's like comparing 'who' to 'whom'. They just don't occupy the same territory.

It's not archaic, it's not old slang, it's just a more formal word reserved for more formal language.

AGREED. Contrex has no idea what he is talking about.

Actually he does, Dave.

When compared to some other words taken from this thread that everyone would agree are also going strong but occupy the less frequent side of vocabulary, 'oftentimes' fares quite well.

exult - About 871,000 results

oftentimes- About 12,800,000 results

misperception - About 1,060,000 results

version - About 6,400,000,000 results

lamentable - About 2,980,000 results

consequences - About 268,000,000 results

There are lots of words that are going strong that come in lower in use than 'oftentimes'. Oftentimes, it sees little use, oftentimes it sees a greater use than other going strong words.

One of your favorite words, Dave, 'stipulate', comes in at,

stipulate - About 5,840,000 results

I did explain what I meant by "going strong".

Not to mention that the facts supported you.

Being criticised by that loony David is a kind of accolade, really.