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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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by frequency

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by frequency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a method of categorizing or analyzing data based on how often something occurs. Example: "The results were sorted by frequency to identify the most common responses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Replaced by pay by frequency which was also in the imposed contract.

News & Media

The Guardian

Teixeira, A. R. et al. On asymmetric surface barriers in MFI zeolites revealed by frequency response.

Science & Research

Nature

Kerlikowske, K. et al. Outcomes of screening mammography by frequency, breast density, and postmenopausal hormone therapy.

Science & Research

Nature

Kohler, R. H. Detection of double resonance by frequency change: application to 201Hg.

Science & Research

Nature

In many cults, sacrifices are distinguished by frequency of performance into two types, regular and special.

Encyclopedias

Britannica

The pore size occurrences by frequency were converted into volume fractions (Fig. 2C).

Science & Research

Nature

The broader literate public also comes down on the "Democratic" side, as indicated by frequency of usage.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Some arrange their apps by colour, others by type, some use folders, others arrange them all by frequency of use.

Produced by Frequency Films, Simon West Productions and the Littlefield Company in association with Paramount Network Television.

Some arrange by colour, others by type, some use folders, others arrange them all by frequency of use.

Data were analyzed by frequency, percentage and meta-analysis.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by frequency", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being measured or categorized. For example, "sort the data by frequency of occurrence" is more precise than just "sort by frequency".

Common error

Avoid using "by frequency" without specifying what is being counted. Saying "arrange items by frequency" is vague. Instead, specify, "arrange items by frequency of use" to provide clarity.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by frequency" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, indicating the method or criterion used for sorting, analyzing, or categorizing data. As Ludwig AI examples show, it specifies that the arrangement or assessment is based on how often something occurs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

71%

News & Media

22%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by frequency" is a versatile phrase used to specify that data or items are organized, analyzed, or categorized based on how often they occur. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in scientific and news-related contexts. When using "by frequency", ensure that the context clarifies the subject of the measurement. Related phrases include "according to frequency" and "based on frequency", offering similar meanings. While the phrase is widely accepted, precision is key to avoiding ambiguity. Remember that the most common mistake is ambiguous reference.

FAQs

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

You can use "by frequency" to describe how something is categorized or analyzed, such as "The data was sorted "by frequency" of occurrence" or "The translations are ranked "by frequency" of use".

What's a good alternative to "by frequency"?

Alternatives include "according to frequency", "based on frequency", or "in terms of frequency", which all convey a similar meaning of categorization or analysis based on how often something occurs.

Is it correct to say "sort by frequency"?

While commonly understood, it's best to clarify what you are sorting "by frequency". For example, say "sort the results "by frequency of occurrence"" to be more precise.

What is the difference between "by frequency" and "by prevalence"?

"By frequency" refers to how often something occurs, while "by prevalence" refers to how widespread something is within a population. Use ""by frequency"" when you are counting occurrences and "by prevalence" when you are measuring how common something is within a group.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: