infrequency

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'infrequency' is a correct and commonly used word in written English.
It is defined as the state or quality of not occurring often or being rare. It is often used to describe something that happens or appears seldom or at irregular intervals. Example: The infrequency of his visits was a source of disappointment for his elderly mother, who eagerly waited for him to come home from his travels.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The spin doctors say in turn that Mr Follett and the (now presumably downwardly-mobile) Labour backbencher he is married to were discombobulated by nothing weightier than the infrequency of their own invitations to social events in Mr Blair's Camelot.

The Economist

Doctors can get an inkling by questioning people about their age, diet, infrequency of exercise and smoking habits but it is only an inkling, not a direct measurement.

The Economist

But it also stems from the infrequency of their use.

The Economist

An astronomical observatory, jointly operated by Spain and Germany, is located at Calar Alto, where it takes advantage of the infrequency of cloud cover over the province (unusual in Europe).

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, because of the sporadic appearance of the infection, the absence of epidemics until relatively recent times, and the nonspecific nature and infrequency of the acute illness, there is hardly another recognizable trace of the disease until the 18th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The infrequency of transfer from one host species to another leads to host specificity, or host restriction, in which a species of louse is found only on one species of host or a group of closely related host species.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This involves lightning conductors, but he's prepared to agree that the infrequency of lightning coupled with the huge numbers of conductors needed renders the idea impractical.

Independent

Despite the relative infrequency with which models in science have been replaced, replacement does occur, and a strong awareness of the limitations of models has developed in modern science.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Save for the infrequency of home runs, the hitters' statistics are more comparable to what we know now: a.357 batting average, eighty R.B.I.s, and fourteen dingers would have won you the Triple Crown that year.

The New Yorker

Pretending to be sick is a bit trickier than in winter, but a summer cold isn't unheard of (and after all, the young children of those relatives you've got visiting are a walking pestilence), and as long as you play that card with relative infrequency — I'd advise only once every other summer — you can buy yourself a tidy bit of time.

The New Yorker

But the infrequency of volcanic eruptions may make it hard to date intervening sediments.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "infrequency", ensure the context clearly indicates what is not happening often. For example, specify "the infrequency of visits" rather than just "infrequency".

Common error

While grammatically correct, repeatedly using "infrequency" can make writing sound stilted. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "rarity", "scarcity", or "uncommonness" to maintain a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "infrequency" is as a noun. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting the state or quality of something occurring rarely. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides numerous examples of its use in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "infrequency", meaning the state of not occurring often, is a commonly used noun, especially within News & Media and Encyclopedias. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and offers numerous examples demonstrating its versatility. While "infrequency" effectively conveys rarity, writers should consider synonyms like "rarity" or "scarcity" to avoid repetition. It's crucial to specify what the "infrequency" refers to for clarity. Be mindful when using it in formal writing and consider other options to ensure a natural writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rarity

Emphasizes how uncommon something is.

rareness

A synonym for rarity, stressing the unusual nature of an event or item.

uncommonness

Focuses on the lack of common occurrence.

scarcity

Highlights the limited availability or occurrence of something.

limited frequency

Directly describes the reduced number of times something happens.

seldomness

Highlights how infrequently something occurs.

irregularity

Suggests a lack of consistent or predictable timing.

lack of regularity

Indicates an absence of consistent patterns or intervals.

sporadic occurrence

Emphasizes that something happens at irregular intervals.

occasionality

Focuses on something happening only occasionally.

FAQs

How can I use "infrequency" in a sentence?

You can use "infrequency" to describe how often something occurs. For example, "The "infrequency of rain" led to a severe drought".

What words can I use instead of "infrequency"?

Alternatives to "infrequency" include "rarity", "scarcity", or "uncommonness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "infrequency" or "lack of frequency"?

"Infrequency" is generally more concise and direct. "Lack of frequency" can be used, but "infrequency" is often preferred in formal writing due to its simplicity.

What does "infrequency" imply about the thing it describes?

"Infrequency" implies that something happens or exists only rarely, and its occurrence is not typical or expected.