Frequently quite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Frequently quite" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize that something happens often and to a significant degree, but it may require additional context for clarity. Example: "The weather here is frequently quite unpredictable, making it hard to plan outdoor activities."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

But it's no more than that, and frequently quite a lot less.

The New York Times - Arts

Polynesian kings were frequently quite fat, while the girls of Banyankole in East Africa were fattened in preparation for marriage like so many Christmas geese.

The New York Times - Science

At the raucous heart of this joyful show is Dot Von Trott, the one figure who's happy in her own skin (frequently, quite a lot of skin).

The Guardian

It also doesn't help much that the dialogue in the game is frequently quite bad and the protagonists become harder and harder to care about.

The Guardian - Tech

Radio Antena M can be heard, though getting the connection is frequently quite difficult.Unsurprisingly, news direct from Kosovo is hard to come by.

The Economist

Mr. Romney accomplished that by focusing virtually all of his time and attention on President Obama, and was frequently quite eloquent in doing so.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Budgets are frequently not quite what they seem.

Independent

This is particularly appropriate in clinical epidemiology, where we frequently know quite a lot about likely relationships between variables.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

However, quite frequently there was one location that was more frequently exploited by diverse paralogues [5].

Biochimie

That happens quite frequently".

The Guardian - Music

—Trish Quite frequently, they can.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Frequently quite", ensure that the adjective or adverb it modifies is appropriate for the context. This phrase works best when you want to emphasize both the frequency and the degree to which something occurs. For example, "The weather is frequently quite unpredictable."

Common error

Avoid overusing "Frequently quite" in formal or academic writing where more precise language is preferred. Consider stronger or more specific adverbs to convey the same meaning. For example, instead of "The results were frequently quite variable", try "The results were often highly variable" or "The results varied considerably".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Frequently quite" functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the adjective or adverb it precedes. It specifies both the frequency and degree to which something occurs. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from describing dialogue quality to weather patterns.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

29%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Frequently quite" is a phrase that adds a layer of emphasis to the frequency and degree of an action or quality. While grammatically acceptable, as Ludwig AI points out, its usage should be considered in context to ensure clarity and precision. It is common in news and media and science, suggesting it's suitable for general audiences, but formal writing may benefit from more specific alternatives. Remember that while the phrase is common it can be substituted for "often very", "regularly quite", or "commonly quite".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Often very

Replaces "frequently" with "often" and "quite" with "very", maintaining a similar level of intensity but with slightly more common vocabulary.

Regularly quite

Substitutes "frequently" with "regularly", indicating a consistent pattern.

Commonly quite

Emphasizes the commonness of the occurrence.

Frequently fairly

Reduces the intensity slightly by using "fairly" instead of "quite".

Quite often

Inverts the order and replaces "frequently" with "often", resulting in a more conversational tone.

Frequently somewhat

Indicates a moderate degree of something happening often.

Frequently rather

Uses "rather" to express a degree that is less than "very" but more than "a little".

Often reasonably

Indicates a reasonable frequency and degree.

Frequently significantly

Suggests that the occurrences happen often and are noteworthy.

Repeatedly rather

Emphasizes the repeated nature of the occurrence with a moderate degree.

FAQs

How can I use "Frequently quite" in a sentence?

Use "Frequently quite" to emphasize that something happens often and to a significant degree. For example, "The service was frequently quite slow during peak hours". However, consider alternatives like "often very" or "regularly quite" for clearer phrasing.

What are some alternatives to "Frequently quite"?

Alternatives include "often very", "regularly quite", or "commonly quite" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "Frequently quite" formal or informal?

"Frequently quite" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more appropriate for neutral to slightly formal situations. In very formal writing, consider stronger or more precise alternatives. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is considered acceptable, but the context should be considered.

Which is more appropriate, "Frequently quite" or "Very frequently"?

While both are grammatically correct, "Very frequently" tends to be more direct and emphasizes the high frequency of occurrence. "Frequently quite" emphasizes both the frequency and the degree to which something happens. Choose the phrasing that best fits the intended emphasis.