a frequent element

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a frequent element" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs often or is commonly found in a particular context or situation. Example: "In many cultures, storytelling is a frequent element that helps to pass down traditions and values."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Anyone who has ever had the privilege of spending even a little time with notable actors (a frequent element of journalism) sees them being approached by strangers, noticed by strangers, or very deferentially yet conspicuously not noticed by strangers.

The New Yorker

And while the state will put up $210 million over the next five years for the new center -- Sematech will supply $193 million -- it did not agree to give the consortium any tax breaks or loans, a frequent element of the state's deals with private industry.

The New York Times

A frequent element is the establishment of " anonymous shell corporations that engage in transactions that are not actually real, rack up huge losses on paper, all of which is incredibly hard to follow".

Huffington Post

Parker, who acknowledged the buildings were never featured in any other South Park episode, said they were modeled after real-life skyscrapers in Denver and included in "Mecha-Streisand" only so they could get destroyed during the monster fight, a frequent element of battles in real Japanese monster films.

Wikipedia

We propose that the damage to skeletal muscle tissue, a frequent element of accidental and surgical injury, favours the development of immunosuppression and contributes to the enhanced susceptibility of severely injured patients to infectious complications.

Clinical Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Double stranded (ds) RNA is a frequent structural element of the cellular RNA; accordingly, cells synthesize many proteins that recognize it.

Biochemistry

Using the NCEP definition of MetS, hypertension was the most frequent element in both sexes, followed by dyslipidemia (Table 5).

BMC Public Health

Furthermore, per element type, there tend to be more new element families/subfamilies identified in the copperhead; this is especially the case for more frequent element types.

Genome Biology and Evolution

The data element that was indicated as automatically accessible the most frequent (element 0: patient identification number) was necessary for computing the denominator.

BMC Health Services Research

The most frequent element chosen was "gluten-free choices in restaurants", which was selected by 68.8% of participants; "gluten-free choices in supermarkets" was chosen by 36.0% and "informative campaigns in all social contexts" (e.g. schools, restaurants) by 36.6%; 32.9% of patients selected "better labelling"; 22.8% chose "earlier diagnosis", and only 2.9% chose "better dietetic counseling".

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Violence and desire are frequent elements, sometimes ritualised, sometimes viscerally laid bare.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a frequent element", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being frequently observed. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a frequent element" in overly broad or generic statements. Instead, provide concrete examples or specific details to support the claim and make it more convincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a frequent element" typically functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object within a sentence. It identifies a recurring or common aspect within a particular context, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a frequent element" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that appears or occurs often in a specific context. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Its use is most common in news, media, and scientific writing. While it can be used in more informal settings, it's generally perceived as a neutral to formal expression. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the context in which the element is frequent. Alternatives such as "a common feature" or "a recurring aspect" can be used to add variety to your writing. Overall, it’s a useful phrase for highlighting recurring aspects, but it’s important to ensure that usage aligns with the intended level of formality and provides specific context for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common feature

Replaces 'frequent' with 'common', focusing on typical presence.

a recurring aspect

Substitutes 'frequent' with 'recurring', emphasizing repeated appearance.

a prevalent component

Changes 'frequent' to 'prevalent', highlighting widespread existence.

a regular attribute

Uses 'regular' instead of 'frequent', focusing on consistent presence.

a typical characteristic

Replaces the whole phrase to denote a defining quality that is commonly observed.

an often-seen element

Uses 'often-seen' instead of 'frequent', emphasizing visual observation.

a repeated motif

More suitable for artistic contexts, implying intentional repetition.

a routine inclusion

Implies a procedural or expected presence.

a usual suspect

Informal and implies predictability, often in negative contexts.

a commonplace occurrence

Emphasizes ordinariness and lack of surprise.

FAQs

How can I use "a frequent element" in a sentence?

Use "a frequent element" to describe something that commonly appears or occurs within a specific context. For example: "In crime novels, suspense is "a frequent element"."

What are some alternatives to "a frequent element"?

Alternatives include "a common feature", "a recurring aspect", or "a prevalent component", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "frequent element" or should it always be "a frequent element"?

While "frequent element" might be understandable in some contexts, using the article "a" generally improves the grammatical correctness and clarity, especially when introducing the element for the first time.

What's the difference between "a frequent element" and "a common element"?

"A frequent element" implies that something occurs often, while "a common element" suggests that something is widely found or known. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the frequency of occurrence or the widespread presence.