the frequency at which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the frequency at which' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about how often something happens. For example: "The frequency at which she failed her driving tests was alarming."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Strong ecological selection also increases the frequency at which hybrid species form.

Nature

FINsix's technology shrinks power electronics by increasing the frequency at which these devices operate.

MIT Technology Review

Ordinarily, the frequency at which a transmitter can broadcast is a function of its voltage.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

time1 counts to 5 ms, dictating the frequency at which the ADC registers are read.

Cornell University

They differ from each other only in the frequency at which their electric and magnetic fields oscillate.

Britannica

Increasing the refractory period has the effect of reducing the frequency at which impulses can be transmitted.

Britannica

The frequency at which the emitted intensity is highest is an indication of the temperature of the radiating object.

Harvard University

Initially the system only sampled the light level with the frequency at which the user wanted data stored.

Cornell University

The light is flickered as fast as 1,000 times a second, the frequency at which neurons operate.

Stanford University

The user was then prompted for the frequency at which to playback (either 8, 4, 2, or 1).

Cornell University

The frequency at which the modal density has a maximum is derived.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the frequency at which", ensure it's followed by a clear and specific event or action. For example, "the frequency at which errors occur" is better than just "the frequency at which".

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily complex sentence structures when using "the frequency at which". Simpler phrasing, like "how often", can often improve clarity and readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the frequency at which" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a dependent clause. It specifies how often an event or action takes place. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

28%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the frequency at which" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to specify the rate or regularity of an event, primarily in formal, scientific, and technical contexts. While versatile, simpler alternatives like "how often" may be preferred in informal settings. The phrase's prevalence in science, news, and academia underscores its importance in precise and objective communication. Remember to use it to precisely quantify rates of occurence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how often

This alternative is more concise and informal, focusing directly on the number of occurrences.

with what frequency

This option retains the formal tone but replaces "at which" with a prepositional phrase.

the rate at which

This alternative emphasizes the speed or pace of occurrence, rather than just the frequency.

the regularity with which

This phrase highlights the consistent pattern or interval of occurrences.

how repeatedly

This is a less common, slightly awkward alternative, emphasizing the repeated nature of the action.

to what extent

This phrase focuses more on the degree or magnitude of the occurrences.

the degree to which

Similar to 'to what extent', this emphasizes the intensity or level of occurrence.

the proportion in which

This alternative emphasizes the ratio or percentage of occurrences.

on what occasions

This option shifts the focus to specific instances or events, rather than the frequency overall.

under what circumstances

This phrase highlights the conditions or situations in which the event occurs.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "the frequency at which" to sound more natural?

You can often replace "the frequency at which" with simpler alternatives such as "how often" or "how frequently" depending on the context. These options can make your writing more concise and accessible.

Is there a difference between "the frequency at which" and "the rate at which"?

While both phrases relate to how often something occurs, "the rate at which" emphasizes the speed or pace of the occurrence, whereas "the frequency at which" simply refers to how often something happens. For example, use "the rate at which" when discussing speed of infection and "the frequency at which" when discussing recurrence.

In what contexts is it best to use "the frequency at which"?

"The frequency at which" is suitable for formal writing, scientific reports, or technical documents. In less formal settings, simpler alternatives like "how often" are generally preferred.

What are some common words that follow "the frequency at which"?

Common words following "the frequency at which" include verbs like "occurs", "happens", "is observed", or "changes". For instance, "the frequency at which mutations occur" or "the frequency at which data is updated".