frequent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'frequent' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that something happens or is done often. For example, "The student visits the library on a frequent basis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Earthquakes are frequent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The original buildings, constructed from dung and straw, tended to collapse whenever hit by one of the country's frequent earth tremors.

The Guardian - Travel

Flashman's increasingly frequent appearances at Westminster are now being remarked upon even by MPs in his own party".

The Guardian

These thefts, and the frequent contests which they produce, have for some time furnished a constant fund of amusement to the bystanders.

The Guardian

In fact my home is quite fragrant, and the smell that's likely to waft the way of our frequent visitors is not urine but the spaghetti bolognese boiling on the cooker to feed the three kids.

The Guardian - Opinion

Particularly frequent or prolonged exposure to very loud sound can permanently damage the ear's sensory cells, causing irreversible hearing loss, and even deafness.

The Guardian

Armed incursions from Darfur are frequent across the porous border, endangering humanitarian convoys on the 11-hour drive from the nearest gravel road.

The Guardian

At 21 she qualified as a nurse at Stockport College and rented a nearby flat, making frequent visits back home to borrow milk and money, and sunbathe in the garden.

The Guardian

Boats of all kinds ply back and forth to Naples, Capri, and Ischia, while the Circumvesuviana Railway offers cheap and frequent services to Pompeii and Herculaneum.

The Guardian - Travel

Asylum seekers in detention on Christmas Island are often dangerously misdiagnosed due to a complicated and inadequate IT system, and can regularly go without basic medicine including paracetamol due to frequent shortages, according to the letter signed by 15 doctors who have practised on Christmas Island.

The Guardian

IHMS said it remained in "frequent discussion with the signatories of the letter, and with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection about the matters raised".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "frequent", ensure it accurately reflects the rate of occurrence you intend to describe. For higher impact, consider specific adverbs like "daily" or "hourly" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "frequent" when you mean "constant" or "continuous". "Frequent" implies intervals between occurrences, while "constant" suggests an uninterrupted state.

Linguistic Context

The word "frequent" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate occurrences that happen often. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies something done or occurring at short intervals. Examples include "frequent breaks" and "frequent visitors".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Travel

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "frequent" serves as an adjective indicating that something occurs often or at short intervals. Ludwig AI affirms its correct grammatical usage, and its prevalence in news and media, as showcased by Ludwig, underscores its importance in general communication. To enhance clarity, consider using precise adverbs like "daily" or "hourly" in place of "frequent".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

often

Emphasizes the regularity or habituality of an occurrence, rather than the interval between occurrences.

regular

Suggests a consistent pattern or schedule.

common

Highlights the prevalence or widespread nature of something.

habitual

Implies a deeply ingrained pattern or tendency.

recurrent

Focuses on the repetitive nature of an event, suggesting it happens again and again.

repeated

Highlights the act of something occurring multiple times.

periodic

Indicates occurrences at specific intervals, whether regular or irregular.

numerous

Emphasizes the abundance of occurrences, rather than their timing.

constant

Suggests an ongoing and uninterrupted presence.

persistent

Highlights the ongoing nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "frequent" in a sentence?

"Frequent" can be used as an adjective to describe something that occurs often. For example, "He makes "frequent visits" to the library" or "There are "frequent trains" to the city."

What can I say instead of "frequent"?

You can use alternatives like "often", "regular", or "common" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "frequent" or "constant"?

Both "frequent" and "constant" are correct, but they have different meanings. "Frequent" implies that something happens often with intervals, while "constant" means something happens continuously without interruption. For example, "frequent breaks" vs "constant noise".

What's the difference between "frequent" and "occasional"?

"Frequent" implies that something happens often. In contrast, "occasional" suggests that something happens irregularly and not very often. Understanding this subtle difference is key to precision in your writing.