frequently was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "frequently was" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or state that occurred often in the past. Example: "During the summer months, the park frequently was filled with families enjoying picnics and outdoor activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Ms. Ríos Fun frequently was hungry".

The New York Times

But Shas, as it has frequently, was also demonstrating that it considers itself a free agent.

The New York Times

It all sounds – and he admits it frequently was – terribly exciting, the stuff of thrillers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Among Mugabe's most effective instruments, and one that he deployed frequently, was his extraordinary voice.

The New Yorker

Their talent was not questioned, although their mental makeup too frequently was.

The New York Times - Sports

So frequently was exclusion used in the 1990s, it lost its force.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I frequently was getting back spasms when I rode Soupy," she said.

The New York Times

The old aristocracy almost everywhere was removed from power, and it frequently was destroyed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The sales manager, Lauren Carteris, said the restaurant frequently was the site of pharmaceutical meetings for Boron LePore.

The New York Times

The verse form they used most frequently was the canso, consisting of five or six stanzas with an envoy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Opportunities for sanitation bathing and laundering were severely limited, and safe drinking water frequently was not available in sufficient quantities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms such as "often was" or "regularly was" for variety in your writing, especially if "frequently was" appears multiple times in a short passage.

Common error

Avoid using "frequently was" to describe present or future actions. This phrase is specifically for past occurrences. For present actions, use "is frequently" or "frequently is".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frequently was" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates that an action or state occurred often in the past. Examples on Ludwig show how it's used to describe past events and conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Huffington Post

6%

Vice

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "frequently was" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe actions or states that occurred often in the past. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its usage is correct and applicable across various contexts. It appears most commonly in News & Media and Science sources. When using "frequently was", ensure it's followed by a verb in the past participle form and avoid using it for present or future actions. For enhanced writing, consider alternatives like "often was" or "regularly was". Remember, as shown by Ludwig's examples, this phrase provides clarity and emphasis on the repeated nature of past events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

repeatedly was

Replaces "frequently" with "repeatedly", stressing the repetitive nature.

often used to be

This alternative replaces "frequently" with "often" and uses "used to be" to emphasize a past habit or state.

regularly happened

This option replaces "frequently was" with "regularly happened", focusing on the regular occurrence of an event.

typically was

Uses "typically" to indicate that something was a usual occurrence.

commonly occurred

Switches to "commonly occurred", highlighting the commonality of an event or situation.

customarily was

Replaces "frequently" with "customarily", suggesting a habitual or traditional practice.

habitually took place

Uses "habitually took place" to emphasize the habitual nature of an action.

in many instances it was

This is similar to "on many occasions", but uses "instances" instead.

time and again it was

Emphasizes the recurrence using the idiom "time and again".

on many occasions it was

This alternative is a more verbose substitution, emphasizing multiple instances of an event.

FAQs

How can I use "frequently was" in a sentence?

Use "frequently was" to describe actions or states that occurred often in the past. For example, "The library "frequently was" used by students for research".

What are some alternatives to "frequently was"?

You can use alternatives like "often was", "regularly was", or "commonly occurred" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "frequently is" instead of "frequently was"?

The correct usage depends on the tense. Use "frequently is" to describe something that happens often in the present. "Frequently was" describes past occurrences.

What's the difference between "frequently was" and "used to be"?

"Frequently was" indicates a repeated occurrence, while "used to be" implies a past state or habit that is no longer true. For example, "He frequently was late" suggests he was often late in the past, while "He used to be late" suggests he was late in the past but is no longer.