infrequently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "infrequently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs rarely or not often. Example: "She infrequently visits her hometown, as she now lives in a different country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Years & Years are also not infrequently compared to Disclosure, and Alexander acknowledges the similarity, but thinks they're really closer to the Pet Shop Boys.

The Guardian - Music

But after a historic season in Spain marked, perhaps more than any other in the last decade or more, by a team it feels more appropriate to chose a man who symbolises that team, even if he personally was talked about all too infrequently.

The Guardian - Sport

Whenever I flicked over throughout the night – which I did infrequently, and only through a sense of moribund duty – I was presented with the same sight; three men sitting around a table, grinding out the sort of excruciating small talk you make when your girlfriend goes to the toilet and you're left trapped in a room with her parents.

The Guardian

"They have only met infrequently and he never raised the work of private clients," the MoD said.

The Guardian

Until recently, it seemed that Victoria was the only dead-eyed succubus amassing strategic weapons, reality shows and dinner dates with infrequently sane movie stars in order to establish a West Coast power base.

The Guardian

This tick-box exercise flushes out the model victim, but it does so at the expense of other real victims who are often vulnerable to crime precisely because they are unable to trust those in authority, they use alcohol, they return to the perpetrators of the offences against them and, not infrequently, they self-harm.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is infrequently scanned to Chiron".

The Guardian

Some outfits may prosper with a few out-of-town stores that people visit infrequently, spending lots.

The Economist

Those who used Facebook a lot were more likely to report a decline in satisfaction than those who visited the site infrequently.

The Economist

The investment-banking arm of perpetually troubled Citigroup did well in the second quarter, as did the investment-banking arm of infrequently troubled Goldman Sachs.

The Economist

But given how infrequently franchises change hands—rarely more than a sale or two every few years one bad crop of owners in the same region can doom it to incompetence for over a decade.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, use "infrequently" to add a touch of sophistication and precision. It's particularly useful in reports, academic papers, and other contexts where clarity and a slightly elevated tone are desired.

Common error

While "infrequently" is grammatically correct, it can sound stilted or overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for more natural alternatives like "not often", "rarely", or "seldom" in informal settings to maintain a conversational tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "infrequently" modifies verbs, adverbs, or adjectives to indicate that an action, quality, or state occurs rarely or not often. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically correct and usable term in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "infrequently" is a grammatically sound adverb used to denote that something occurs rarely. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media, scientific writing, and encyclopedias. While correct, it is more appropriate for formal contexts than casual conversation. Related phrases include "seldom" and "rarely", offering similar meanings with slight variations in tone and emphasis. The analysis of authoritative sources such as The Economist and The Guardian supports the phrase's credibility and proper usage in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seldom

Implies a lower frequency than "infrequently", suggesting something happens only on rare occasions.

rarely

Similar to "seldom" but may suggest even greater infrequency or that something is exceptional when it occurs.

not often

A more direct and less formal way of saying "infrequently", suitable for everyday conversation.

on occasion

Suggests that something happens sporadically or intermittently, without a regular pattern.

once in a while

Indicates that something occurs irregularly and not very frequently.

from time to time

Similar to "once in a while" but might imply a slightly more planned or deliberate occurrence.

scarcely ever

Emphasizes the rarity of an event, suggesting it almost never happens.

hardly ever

Like "scarcely ever", it stresses that something is very uncommon.

sporadically

Highlights the irregular and scattered nature of occurrences.

at long intervals

Focuses on the extended periods between occurrences, emphasizing their infrequency.

FAQs

How can I use "infrequently" in a sentence?

"Infrequently" is used to describe something that doesn't happen often. For example, "I "infrequently" visit that part of town because it's so far away" or "The software is "infrequently" updated, which is a security risk".

What words can I use instead of "infrequently"?

Alternatives to "infrequently" include "rarely", "seldom", "not often", and "occasionally". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "infrequently" or "rarely"?

Both "infrequently" and "rarely" mean 'not often', but "infrequently" is generally considered more formal. Choose "infrequently" for formal writing and "rarely" for everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "infrequently" and "not frequently"?

"Infrequently" and "not frequently" have the same meaning. However, "infrequently" is more concise and often preferred in formal writing. "Not frequently" is a more explicit and somewhat less elegant way to express the same idea.