Calling grammar gurus!

[missmoe]

often vs oftentimes?

 

My dh has a question I'm posting for him.

 

Writing copy today for trade show. Question to the English grammar gurus of TWTM regarding Often versus Oftentimes:

 

Often, shelves are mounted as close as 3" from the door, making it difficult to illuminate product at the center of the shelf.

 

or

 

Oftentimes, shelves are mounted as close as 3" from the door, making it difficult to illuminate product at the center of the shelf.

 

Personally, I think Oftentimes sounds better. Looking online, there is much debate over this, as Oftentimes is considered a clunkier word to write and say over just Often.

 

Thoughts?

[TXBeth]

They are both correct, but oftentimes is, IMO a stilted, antiquated way to say it. Is there a reason he wants to set the word off at the beginning of the sentence? I would say "Shelves are often mounted..."

[ILiveInFlipFlops]

They are both correct, but oftentimes is, IMO a stilted, antiquated way to say it. Is there a reason he wants to set the word off at the beginning of the sentence? I would say "Shelves are often mounted..."

 

:iagree:

[regentrude]

Keep it simple. If a simple word (often) says the same thing as the overly complicated )oftentimes), go with simple. "Oftentimes" is superfluous, stilted and pretentious.

"Shelves are often mounted..." is a much better sentence anyway.

[missmoe]

Thanks, all! I also told him that as an adverb often would work better with the verb. ;)

[TranquilMind]

Keep it simple. If a simple word (often) says the same thing as the overly complicated )oftentimes), go with simple. "Oftentimes" is superfluous, stilted and pretentious.

"Shelves are often mounted..." is a much better sentence anyway.

 

Agree, but I'd probably use "Typically, shelves are mounted..." rather than "often".

[regentrude]

Agree, but I'd probably use "Typically, shelves are mounted..." rather than "often".

 

But that is not quite the same thing, is it?