are a frequent occurrence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are a frequent occurrence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe events or situations that happen often or regularly. Example: "In this region, heavy rainstorms are a frequent occurrence during the summer months."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Transfers of care are a frequent occurrence in Stanford Hospital and take many forms.

Stanford University

In some parts of northwestern Germany, screenings of the anti-shale-fracking film "GasLand" are a frequent occurrence.

The Washington Post

Hostage-taking and kidnapping for ransom are a frequent occurrence in mountainous Georgia, some parts of which remain outside central government control.

The New York Times

Security in the capital is negligible, and gunfights between armed groups from rival neighborhoods or towns are a frequent occurrence in its streets.

The New York Times

The importance of the four arginines that intercalate into 7SK is highlighted by the fact that in a virus where mutations are a frequent occurrence with Tat being one of the highly variable proteins41, these arginines remain highly conserved (>92% conservation frequency in HIV-1 subtype B).

Nature

At a time when much more dire collapses — financial, emotional, geopolitical, familial — are a frequent occurrence or at least a consistent threat, the opportunity to experience and survive one, however trivial or nonexistent the repercussions, is something to be valued, not lamented.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"Chatter", like that reported today, is a frequent occurrence in jihadist cyberspace – at times more credible than at others.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, computer virus specialists said that such infected hardware was a frequent occurrence, particularly with small manufacturers.

The New York Times

Drug dealing is a frequent occurrence, and most recently there have been sexual assaults in and around the park.

University of California, Berkeley

While female sexual dysfunction is a frequent occurrence, characteristics in infertile women are not well delineated.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Another block along, a gentleman shook his fist at me and yelled, "You're not supposed to be here!" (This type of indignation is a frequent occurrence).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are a frequent occurrence", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is happening frequently. For example: "Power outages are a frequent occurrence during hurricane season."

Common error

Avoid using "are a frequent occurrence" with a singular subject. The correct form for singular subjects is "is a frequent occurrence". For example, instead of "This error are a frequent occurrence", say "This error is a frequent occurrence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are a frequent occurrence" functions as a predicate adjective describing the subject of a sentence. It indicates that the subject is something that happens often. This is supported by examples from Ludwig, which show its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are a frequent occurrence" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote that certain events or situations happen regularly. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and demonstrates usage across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. While it is generally suitable for neutral to formal registers, simpler alternatives like "happen often" may be preferred in informal settings. When incorporating this phrase into your writing, ensure that the subject is plural and correctly reflects what frequently occurs. By understanding its function, purpose, and context, you can effectively use "are a frequent occurrence" to communicate frequency and expectation in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occur frequently

More concise and direct, focusing on the action of occurring.

happen often

Simple and informal, suitable for everyday language.

are commonplace

Emphasizes the ordinariness and lack of surprise.

are common

A more general term, lacking the emphasis on repetition.

are habitual

Highlights the routine or predictable nature of the occurrence.

are recurrent

Focuses on the repetitive nature of the events.

are persistent

Suggests the occurrences continue despite attempts to stop them.

are routine

Indicates the occurrences are part of a standard procedure or expectation.

are typical

Implies that the occurrences align with expected patterns or norms.

are repeatedly observed

A more formal and scientific way to describe frequent occurrences, often used in research contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "are a frequent occurrence" in a sentence?

Use "are a frequent occurrence" to describe situations or events that happen often. For example: "Delays "are a frequent occurrence" on this route".

What is a more formal alternative to "are a frequent occurrence"?

A more formal alternative could be "occur frequently" or "are commonly observed". For example: "Such events "occur frequently" in this region".

Is it correct to say "is a frequent occurrence" instead of "are a frequent occurrence"?

Yes, "is a frequent occurrence" is correct when referring to a singular subject, while "are a frequent occurrence" is used for plural subjects. For example: "This issue "is a frequent occurrence"" (singular) versus "These issues "are a frequent occurrence"" (plural).

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

While both phrases indicate that something happens often, "are a frequent occurrence" emphasizes the repetitive nature of the event, whereas "are a common occurrence" simply suggests that it is not unusual. The term “common occurrence” stresses how regularly the situation or event takes place.