I would frequently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I would frequently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or behaviors that occurred often in the past. Example: "I would frequently visit my grandmother on weekends to spend time with her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

I would frequently be in tears on the shop floor.

The Guardian - Money

I would frequently hear people saying 'You picked the wrong brother' or 'He's not up to the job'.

The Guardian

I would frequently use Wikipedia as a primer on a subject about which I had little or no knowledge.

The New York Times

"I would frequently go to Birdland in New York City, which was the place to hear bebop.

Independent

She was married to my cousin and I would frequently stay with them at their country house, Hilles, in Gloucestershire.

Independent

Because I would frequently spend so much money on, like, a kitchen, that it didn't work out.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

"You walk about like you think you're it," I'd frequently be told by some scrunch-faced bruiser, typically for things like being spotted in Morrison's browsing the shelves of budget-sticker taramasalata.

Independent

The TV talk show I worked on for many years taped at 5 30 p.m., and when it was over at around 7, I'd frequently meet Oliver for dinner.

The New York Times - Magazine

"She and I would speak frequently," Ms. Tramontano said.

The New York Times

"If you smoke cigars, I would say frequently you know a little bit about cigars.

The New York Times

For example an internal medicine clinician commented (Table 3): [Previously] I would very frequently have to look up their kidney function and actually calculate the GFR…So, definitely in an older population you encounter that often with certain medications.

BMC Nephrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I would frequently" to describe past habits or actions done regularly. This construction adds a layer of politeness or formality compared to simply saying "I often did".

Common error

Avoid overusing "would" in contexts where simpler past tense or "used to" suffices. Excessive use of "would" can make writing sound stilted or unnecessarily formal. Replace it with past simple when you are referring to finished actions in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I would frequently" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates the frequency with which an action was performed in the past. According to Ludwig, this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I would frequently" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe past habitual actions. According to Ludwig, it's a correct and usable construction. While alternatives like "I often" or "I used to" exist, "I would frequently" adds a degree of formality and specificity. It's particularly prevalent in news and media contexts. When writing, ensure the context warrants its use, avoiding overuse for clarity and conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I would regularly

Replaces 'frequently' with 'regularly', indicating consistent action.

I often would

Reverses the order of the auxiliary verb and adverb, slightly altering emphasis.

I consistently would

Emphasizes the consistency of the action, altering the focus slightly.

I commonly would

Indicates that the action was a common occurrence for the speaker.

I used to frequently

Adds 'used to' for emphasis on past habit, which can be redundant with 'frequently'.

I habitually would

Highlights the habitual nature of the action, adding a nuance of habit.

I generally would

Suggests that the action was a general practice or tendency.

I frequently did

Emphasizes the action performed frequently rather than the manner.

I repeatedly would

Focuses on the repetition of the action.

I was frequently doing

Changes the focus to an ongoing, repeated action in the past.

FAQs

How can I use "I would frequently" in a sentence?

Use "I would frequently" to describe actions you regularly did in the past. For example, "I would frequently visit the library after school" indicates a recurring past habit.

What's a good alternative to "I would frequently"?

Alternatives include "I often", "I regularly", or "I used to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "I used to frequently"?

Yes, using "used to" with "frequently" can be redundant because "used to" already implies a repeated action or state in the past. It's generally better to use one or the other.

What is the difference between "I would frequently" and "I often"?

"I would frequently" is typically used to describe past habits or actions, while "I often" can be used for both past and present habits. Also, "I would frequently" often carries a slightly more formal tone.