fairly frequent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly frequent" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that occurs often but not excessively. Example: "The bus service is fairly frequent, making it easy for commuters to travel to the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Spittoons are stationed at fairly frequent intervals.

The New Yorker

The killer whale is a fairly frequent visitor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The presence of domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) in Brazilian protected areas is fairly frequent.

Natureza & Conservação

It is a fairly frequent occurrence for any air traveler on wheels.

The New York Times - Magazine

"If you're not a fairly frequent traveler, where's the value?" Mr. Winship said.

The New York Times

Lovers of organ music can check with the church for a schedule of recitals, which are fairly frequent.

The New York Times - Travel

I had been a fairly frequent visitor to Tunis from 2005 onwards, but had not been back since the revolution.

The Guardian

Our conversations are small and fairly frequent, never making too big of a deal nor taking it too lightly.

The Washington Post

As I was in PIC/Forbes in 1985 and 1986, the Wa was the place to get snacks on a fairly frequent basis.

Princeton University

Indeed, as a fairly frequent restaurantgoer, I cannot think of a single instance of dinner being ruined by smoke drifting over from the bar.

The New York Times

Wolf lovers manifested the latter at the conference with wolf pins, T-shirts, posters, books, coffee mugs and fairly frequent, piercing wolf howls.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fairly frequent", ensure the context provides a clear reference point. For example, "fairly frequent visits" implies a certain number of visits relative to a standard expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "fairly frequent" when describing rare events. This phrase suggests more regularity than a rare occurrence implies. Consider using "occasional" or "infrequent" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly frequent" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun to describe the rate at which something occurs. As Ludwig AI states, it is a usable term to describe something that occurs often but not excessively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fairly frequent" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe events that occur regularly but not excessively. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for conveying a nuanced sense of frequency. It finds its place across diverse contexts, notably in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. When aiming for clarity and precision in your writing, consider the subtle differences between "fairly frequent" and its alternatives, such as "quite common" or "moderately frequent", to best reflect the intended degree of occurrence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Comparatively frequent

Emphasizes a greater degree of frequency when compared to something else.

Somewhat frequent

Indicates a slightly lower degree of frequency than the original phrase.

Reasonably frequent

Implies that the frequency is within an acceptable or expected range.

Moderately frequent

Indicates a frequency that is neither high nor low but somewhere in the middle.

Quite common

Focuses on the commonness of the occurrence rather than its exact frequency.

Relatively common

Highlights that the occurrence is common when compared to something else.

Regularly occurring

Emphasizes the regularity of the occurrences.

Repeatedly observed

Highlights the repeated nature of the observation.

Oftentimes

Implies that it happens often, but not always.

In some instances

Indicates that the events occur in specific situations or cases.

FAQs

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

Use "fairly frequent" to describe events or occurrences that happen regularly but are not constant. For example, "The train service is "fairly frequent", making commuting easier."

What are some alternatives to "fairly frequent"?

You can use alternatives like "quite common", "reasonably frequent", or "moderately frequent" depending on the specific context and the degree of frequency you want to convey.

Is it better to say "fairly frequent" or "very frequent"?

The choice between "fairly frequent" and "very frequent" depends on the degree of regularity you want to express. "Fairly frequent" suggests occurrences are regular but not excessive, while "very frequent" implies a much higher rate of occurrence.

What is the difference between "fairly frequent" and "somewhat frequent"?

"Fairly frequent" suggests a slightly higher degree of regularity than "somewhat frequent". Use "fairly frequent" when something happens noticeably often, and "somewhat frequent" when it occurs less regularly.