a frequent thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a frequent thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an occurrence or event that happens often or regularly. Example: "Seeing her at the coffee shop has become a frequent thing for me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"This wasn't a frequent thing before.

The New York Times

No, and this is why it can no longer be expected to be a frequent thing in the technology industry.

TechCrunch

…I would have liked it to have been just more of a frequent thing when I actually needed the help more.

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It wanted to be the first thing people saw and the most frequent thing people did on their phones, but without too much resource expenditure or having to start an app store from scratch.

TechCrunch

If you're a frequent flyer, things like the Global Entry Program and TSA Pre check allow you to bypass immigration lines (dreadfully long) and go through security without having to remove any items of clothing.

Huffington Post

When I stepped into the role as head of the United States Patent and Trademark Office a couple of years ago, one of the frequent things I told audiences of stakeholders around the country was that I looked forward to working together to further strengthen our patent system.

Huffington Post

The phenomenon of squirrel attacks is a great illustration of how our perception of risk tends to be skewed away from mundane frequent things toward big, scary improbable things.

Independent

One of the most frequent things that people do to sabotage their own presentation is talking way too quickly and so many people make this mistake.

WikiHow

But I'm a frequent listener to All Things Considered and Morning Edition.

Huffington Post

However, in recent years, new insights into the regulation of gene expression became available, showing among other things a frequent use of alternative TSSs.

BMC Genomics

In a video interview conducted by Mr. Greenwald and taped by Ms. Poitras, Mr. Snowden recounted seeing "disturbing" things on a "frequent basis" and asking questions about what he saw as abuses, only to find that no one cared.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a frequent thing" to describe events or occurrences that happen regularly but may not be formally scheduled. It adds a nuance of observation to the frequency.

Common error

Avoid using "a frequent thing" in highly formal writing. Opt for more precise language like "a common practice" or "a regular event" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a frequent thing" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object. According to Ludwig AI, it describes something that occurs regularly.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a frequent thing" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe something that happens often or regularly. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral to slightly informal settings. For more formal writing, alternatives such as "a common occurrence" or "a regular event" may be more appropriate. Remember to use it when you want to highlight the repetitive nature of an event without necessarily implying that it is commonplace or scheduled.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a common occurrence

Focuses on the event being common rather than just frequent.

a regular event

Highlights the regularity and scheduled nature if applicable.

a usual practice

Emphasizes the habitual or customary aspect.

a recurring phenomenon

Implies a cyclical or repeated nature, often used in scientific or abstract contexts.

something that happens often

A more verbose and literal alternative, lacking the conciseness of the original.

a commonplace matter

Suggests something is ordinary and unremarkable.

a familiar sight

Focuses on visual observation and recognition.

a habitual action

Highlights the repetitive and potentially unconscious nature of the action.

a typical situation

Emphasizes the normality and expectedness of the situation.

a prevailing trend

Indicates a widespread pattern or direction of change.

FAQs

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

You can use "a frequent thing" to describe an event or occurrence that happens often. For example, "Seeing deer in my backyard has become "a frequent thing" lately".

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

"A frequent thing" implies something happens often, while "a common thing" suggests something is widespread or typical. The former focuses on repetition, and the latter on prevalence.

Is "a frequent thing" formal or informal?

"A frequent thing" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. It's suitable for everyday conversation and writing but might be less appropriate for very formal contexts.

What are some alternatives to "a frequent thing"?

Alternatives include "a common occurrence", "a regular event", or "something that happens often" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.