frequency

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'frequency' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the rate or number of times something happens or occurs over a particular period of time. For example, "The frequency of trains going to the next station is very high".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Schneiderman had argued the marketing documents contained a claim that traders channelling business to Barclays' dark pool would be protected from high frequency traders, when this was not the case in reality.

The Guardian - Business

The data is not great on the frequency of rugby injuries in children.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"If you lived in a group where everyone was very helpful to each other, behaved altruistically, and your group could then dominate other groups, then those altruistic tendencies would increase in frequency and the number of groups displaying those capacities would increase".

The Guardian

Being able to cap the frequency of adverts for users in order to prevent over-exposure is a TV planner's dream, and yet an everyday reality online.

The Guardian

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police told the Guardian that "GMP is not aware of any reports from the public regarding the jamming of their car's central locking frequency at Manchester Fort Shopping Park" and appealed for any victims to come forward.

The Guardian - Tech

Villa cannot put their counter-attacking play into practice with anywhere near the same frequency as the current players lack the technical ability of their predecessors.

The Guardian - Sport

In the national sample surveyed, frequency of ice use increased from fortnightly to close to weekly.

The Guardian

YouTube helps extend a campaign's reach to lighter TV viewers without sacrificing much frequency for heavy TV viewers.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

In Flash Boys, he turns his gaze on high-frequency computerised trading in US stock markets".

The Guardian - Books

Schneiderman says Barclays's dark pool – a private trading platform that allows investors to remain anonymous until they have completed trades – was used to favour high-frequency traders, who trade at tremendous speed to take advantage of tiny changes in the price of shares.

The Guardian - Business

A month ago Schneiderman accused Barclays of "a systematic pattern of fraud and deceit" by allowing the specialist trading system to favour high-frequency traders.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the rate at which something occurs, be specific about the time frame. For example, instead of saying "high frequency", specify "high frequency per day" or "high frequency per year".

Common error

Avoid using "frequency" when you actually mean "probability". "Frequency" refers to how often something occurs, while "probability" refers to the likelihood of it occurring. Don't say "the frequency of winning the lottery is low"; instead, say "the probability of winning the lottery is low".

Linguistic Context

The word "frequency" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a particular period of time. According to Ludwig, it follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "frequency" is a noun denoting how often something occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across varied contexts. It's most frequently used in "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and "Science". To enhance clarity, specify the timeframe when discussing frequency. Synonyms include "rate of occurrence" or "incidence", but avoid confusing it with "probability", which measures likelihood. The prevalence of "frequency" in diverse sources such as The Guardian and The Economist underscores its widespread acceptance and utility in both professional and general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rate of occurrence

Focuses on the rate at which events happen, often in a more statistical or formal context.

recurrence rate

Emphasizes the rate at which something happens again, specifically focusing on repeated events.

level of incidence

Highlights the extent to which something occurs, often used in scientific or medical contexts.

degree of repetition

Refers to the extent to which something is repeated, useful in describing patterns or routines.

how often

A more informal way to inquire or describe how many times something happens.

number of instances

Highlights the sheer count of times an event takes place.

repetition rate

Similar to recurrence rate but can also refer to technical contexts like signal processing.

periodic rate

Implies that the events happen at somewhat regular or predictable intervals.

chronicity

Specifically focuses on the chronic or persistent nature of recurring events, often in health.

incidence

Shorter version of level of incidence, mainly used in formal settings.

FAQs

How can I use "frequency" in a sentence?

You can use "frequency" to describe how often something occurs. For example, "The "frequency of rain" has increased this year" or "The "frequency of visits" depends on the weather".

What's the difference between "frequency" and "rate"?

"Frequency" generally refers to how often something occurs within a specific time period. "Rate", while similar, can also refer to a measure, quantity, or speed. For example, you might talk about the "frequency of earthquakes" or the "interest rate".

Are there any synonyms for "frequency" that I can use?

Yes, depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "rate of occurrence", "recurrence", or "incidence".

Is it correct to use "frequency" to describe radio waves?

Yes, in physics and engineering, "frequency" refers to the rate at which a radio wave oscillates, typically measured in Hertz (Hz). For example, "This radio station broadcasts at a "frequency of 98.5 MHz"".