frequently occasionally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "frequently occasionally" is not correct and is generally not usable in written English.
It combines two adverbs that convey similar meanings, which creates redundancy and confusion. Example: "I frequently occasionally visit the museum, but I never stay long."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I met him frequently, occasionally sharing a meal with him and his family.

The Guardian

(AMONG REGISTERED VOTERS) If there were a casino at National Harbor in Prince George's County, how often do you think you would go there to gamble: frequently, occasionally, rarely or never?

The Washington Post

I hear racist or sexist jokes … constantly, often, frequently, occasionally, rarely, never.

Forbes

Hey, I do a lot of those myself, but I also see old and new friends frequently, occasionally pick up the phone to talk, and hopefully have not lost the skill of bringing people together and being there when needed.

Huffington Post

Participants were also asked "How often does your mouth feel dry?" with response options "always", "frequently", "occasionally", or "never".

BMC Oral Health

Mixture constituents do not necessarily have similar properties; the composition is not necessarily constant; and the mixture may occur frequently, occasionally, or rarely.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Additionally, at completion of therapy, both the client and the sexologist are asked to indicate the frequency with which homework assignments were completed on a five-point scale (always-frequently-occasionally-rarely-never), and to indicate the reasons for not completing all homework assignments, if applicable.

BMC Cancer

For different fields, however, the perceived dominating impact varies from "frequently" to "occasionally" to "never": In Academia, >50% perceive a frequent impact (dark blue circles) of DDM&S in the fields of understanding drug, system, and disease characteristics as well as methodological aspects that lead to mechanistic knowledge and methodological progress.

CPT: Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology

In successive years (1 4), individual willows flowered frequently and, occasionally, at high abundances, and catkin abundance increased with time.

Biomass and Bioenergy

We would have racist things spray-painted on the building rather frequently, and occasionally had bomb threats".

The New York Times

Scattered so as to make you feel that you alone had discovered each piece, the work was frequently beautiful, occasionally funny and always thought-provoking.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "frequently occasionally" in your writing. The phrase is redundant because "frequently" and "occasionally" both describe how often something occurs. Choose one or the other depending on the intended degree of frequency.

Common error

Don't combine adverbs that express similar frequencies. Using both "frequently" and "occasionally" together adds unnecessary words and weakens your message. Opt for a single, clear term to describe the occurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frequently occasionally" functions as an adverbial modifier, attempting to describe the frequency of an action or event. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, this combination is grammatically incorrect and creates redundancy.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

50%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "frequently occasionally" is considered grammatically incorrect due to its redundant nature. Ludwig AI points out the phrase combines two adverbs with overlapping meanings. While examples do exist across various sources, including News & Media and Scientific publications, its use is discouraged. It's best to choose a single adverb like "often", "sometimes", or "periodically" for clarity and precision. Avoid this phrase in formal writing to maintain grammatical correctness and a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

often

A simple and direct synonym for both "frequently" and "occasionally", offering a general sense of happening regularly.

regularly at times

Combines a sense of regularity with the idea that it doesn't happen all the time, indicating moderate frequency.

sometimes

Indicates that something happens now and then, without specifying a particular pattern or consistency.

from time to time

Highlights the intermittent nature of an event, emphasizing that it is not constant.

periodically

Suggests that something happens at somewhat fixed intervals, although not necessarily very often.

on occasion

Emphasizes the sporadic nature of an event, focusing on specific instances rather than overall frequency.

at regular intervals

Implies a consistent pattern of occurrence, but allows for longer gaps between events.

every so often

A casual way of saying that something happens intermittently, without a strict schedule.

now and again

Similar to "sometimes", but may suggest a slightly less frequent occurrence.

at certain times

Highlights the fact that something happens during specific moments or situations.

FAQs

Is it correct to use "frequently occasionally" in a sentence?

No, the phrase "frequently occasionally" is grammatically incorrect due to the redundancy of using two adverbs that describe similar frequencies. It's best to choose either "frequently" or "occasionally" depending on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "frequently" and "occasionally"?

"Frequently" means happening often or at short intervals, while "occasionally" means happening sometimes but not regularly. Using them together as "frequently occasionally" is contradictory.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "frequently occasionally"?

Instead of "frequently occasionally", consider using a single word such as "often", "sometimes", or "periodically". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of precision.

How can I avoid redundancy in my writing when describing frequency?

To avoid redundancy, be mindful of the specific meaning you want to convey. Choose a single adverb or phrase that accurately represents the frequency of the event. Avoid using multiple adverbs that express similar concepts.