not infrequently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not infrequently" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to indicate that something happens more often than might be expected, and is usually used to describe an event or occurrence that is not rare but not common, either. For example: "The students at this school have reported not infrequently feeling isolated and disconnected from their peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not infrequently it gets him a seat.

The New York Times - Health

Not infrequently, that has been German.

The New York Times

This particular error turns up not infrequently.

The Guardian

Not infrequently, bed partners resort to sleeping elsewhere.

The New York Times - Health

"I think this gets missed not infrequently," he said.

The New York Times

This was, not infrequently, one of his own main concerns.

The New York Times - Books

Not infrequently experience itself is a central theme.

The New York Times

Platini is not infrequently perceived as anti-English.

Independent

Not infrequently, he has coaxed his wife into these pictures.

The New York Times

They were wanderers and, not infrequently, fierce mounted warriors.

The New York Times - Science

They also, and not infrequently, shove them over.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience; while grammatically correct, "not infrequently" might be perceived as stilted in informal contexts. In such cases, alternatives such as "fairly often" or "quite often" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "not infrequently" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formality can sound unnatural or pretentious in those settings. Opt for simpler phrases like "sometimes" or "occasionally" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not infrequently" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the frequency of an action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests something happens more often than expected. Examples show it describing errors, behaviors, or situations that recur somewhat regularly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "not infrequently" indicates that something happens more often than one might expect. While grammatically sound and frequently used – as Ludwig AI confirms – it carries a level of formality that might make it unsuitable for casual contexts. Its strength lies in adding a nuance of surprise to factual statements. Its presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker underlines its appropriateness for formal writing. When in doubt, simpler synonyms such as "fairly often" or "quite often" can be used to convey a similar meaning without the added formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fairly often

Replaces 'not infrequently' with a more common and slightly less formal expression.

quite often

Similar to 'fairly often', but with a slightly stronger sense of regularity.

relatively often

Emphasizes the frequency in comparison to other possibilities.

somewhat frequently

More directly quantifies the frequency, suggesting it is more than occasional.

with some regularity

Highlights the consistent, though not necessarily constant, occurrence.

more often than not

Indicates that something happens more than 50% of the time, implying high frequency.

on occasion

Indicates that something happens sometimes, but not as frequently as 'not infrequently'.

from time to time

Similar to 'on occasion', suggesting irregular but repeated instances.

periodically

Implies that something occurs at somewhat regular intervals.

at times

A simpler and more informal way of saying 'sometimes'.

FAQs

How can I use "not infrequently" in a sentence?

"Not infrequently" is typically used to describe actions or events that occur more often than one might expect. For example, "The software, despite regular updates, would "not infrequently" crash during peak usage hours."

What phrases can I use instead of "not infrequently"?

Alternatives to "not infrequently" include "fairly often", "quite often", "relatively often", or "with some regularity". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality desired.

Is "not infrequently" considered formal language?

Yes, "not infrequently" is generally considered a more formal expression. While grammatically correct and widely understood, it might sound stilted in informal conversation. Simpler alternatives are usually preferred in casual settings.

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

"Frequently" indicates that something happens often. "Not infrequently" suggests that something happens more often than one might expect, but isn't a constant or highly regular occurrence. The subtle difference lies in the implied level of surprise or unexpectedness.