a frequency of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a frequency of" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used when discussing how often something occurs or happens. Example 1: The earthquake happened with a frequency of once every three years, making it a relatively common occurrence in the region. Example 2: The study found a significant increase in accidents at the intersection, with a frequency of 3 per week, leading to calls for a traffic light to be installed.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Milky Way sends on a frequency of 14.2 megacycles.

The New Yorker

Most transmit at a frequency of 2.4 gigahertz, which is also used by Wi-Fi networks and many cordless phones.

The New York Times - Tech

Many PCS phones (Personal Communications Services) are based on digital technology and usually operate on a frequency of 1900 megahertz.

The New York Times - Tech

He discovered that the squirrels were making very short screeches at a frequency of about 50 kilohertz.

The New York Times - Science

If this is looking at your investments and retirement account then probably a frequency of once a quarter is right".

The Guardian

Bilateral agenesis manifested a frequency of 4.4%.

Progress in Orthodontics

Having a frequency of 50 Hz, each epoch was sampled at a frequency of 200 Hz.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Unilateral agenesis occurred with a frequency of 4.6%; bilateral agenesis manifested a frequency of 4.4%.

Progress in Orthodontics

We have a frequency of mass shootings that far exceeds other countries in frequency.

TechCrunch

a Frequency of different #'s of mutations per run.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The inertia pose data has a frequency of 100 Hz.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a frequency of", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being measured and over what period. For example, "The server checks for updates at a frequency of once per day."

Common error

Avoid using "a frequency of" when describing duration or intensity. Frequency refers to how often something occurs, not how long it lasts or how strong it is. Use terms like 'duration' or 'intensity' instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a frequency of" functions as a noun phrase often used as an adverbial modifier. It specifies how often an event occurs or a process repeats. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

27%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a frequency of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that specifies the rate at which something occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing repetition in various contexts, including science, news, and more technical domains. It's crucial to use it accurately to indicate the number of occurrences within a given time frame and not confuse it with duration or intensity. Remember to specify the time unit for clarity. This phrase is prevalent in scientific and news contexts, indicating its formal to neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rate of occurrence

Replaces 'frequency' with 'rate of occurrence', emphasizing the speed or rate at which something happens.

the repetition rate

Highlights the speed or rate at which something repeats.

a recurrence rate of

Focuses on the rate at which something recurs or repeats.

an incidence of

Emphasizes the measure of how often something happens, especially in the context of undesirable events.

a measure of repetition

Highlights the repetitive nature of the event or action.

a level of regularity

Indicates the consistency or evenness of the occurrence.

how often

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct question or statement about the frequency of an event.

the periodicity of

Indicates the time interval at which the phenomenon happens

the distribution of

Shifts the focus to how events are spread out over a given area or time.

the pattern of

Emphasizes the structured or predictable sequence of events.

FAQs

How can I use "a frequency of" in a sentence?

Use "a frequency of" to describe how often something occurs. For example: "The heart beats at "a frequency of" 72 beats per minute" or "The updates are released at "a frequency of" once a month".

What's the difference between "a frequency of" and "a rate of"?

While similar, "a frequency of" often implies a cyclical or recurring event, while "a rate of" can refer to any change over time. For example, you might say "The light flickered at a frequency of 60 Hz," but "The population grew at a rate of 2% per year."

What are some alternatives to "a frequency of"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "how often", "an incidence of", "a rate of occurrence", or "the repetition rate".

Is it always necessary to specify the time unit when using "a frequency of"?

Yes, it is generally best to specify the time unit (e.g., per second, per day, per year) to provide clarity. Saying ""a frequency of" 5 Hz" is more informative than simply saying ""a frequency of" 5".