too frequent

USAGE SUMMARY

"too frequent" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that happens too often. For example, "I'm getting phone calls from that company too frequent; I think I need to block their number."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

And not too frequent.

The New Yorker

Defections were all too frequent.

The Economist

He may be a too frequent flier.

The New York Times

Fortunately the phone calls are not too frequent these days.

The Guardian - Business

There, too, frequent drivers can get a windshield transponder.

The New York Times

But certainly these types of accidents are all too frequent".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"We see that reality on an all-too-frequent basis.

The New York Times

But the resort's energetic staff works hard to make up for its all-too-frequent errors.

The New York Times - Travel

Too-frequent use of over-the-counter pain relievers can cause "rebound headaches".

The New York Times - Health

My particular favorite is the all-too-frequent comment, "Boy, you look thinner in person".

The New York Times

Homelessness, the all-too-frequent aftermath of prison release, makes obtaining help virtually impossible.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "too frequent", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is happening too often and why it's undesirable. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "too frequent" in very casual conversations; simpler alternatives like "too often" or "too much" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too frequent" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a noun to indicate that something occurs more often than is desirable or acceptable. Ludwig AI validates this usage, providing numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

21%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "too frequent" is a versatile adjectival modifier used to express that something occurs more often than is desirable. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely employed, especially in news, scientific, and general contexts. While acceptable in most situations, it's important to consider the formality of the setting and opt for simpler alternatives like "too often" in casual conversations. Common errors include overuse in informal settings, so consider the context when writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively frequent

More formal and emphatic, stressing the undesirable degree of repetition.

overly frequent

Similar to "excessively frequent" but slightly less formal, also stressing an undesirable degree of repetition.

too numerous

Indicates a large quantity exceeding what is desirable or manageable, shifting the focus from frequency to quantity.

too common

Highlights the lack of uniqueness or rarity, emphasizing prevalence rather than repetition.

too recurrent

Highlights the repetitive nature of an event or problem, emphasizing its cyclical pattern.

too routine

Suggests a lack of novelty or excitement due to repetition, focusing on the predictability.

too regular

Implies a predictable and possibly monotonous pattern of occurrence.

too repetitive

Focuses on the sameness or lack of variation in the occurrences, rather than just the frequency.

too prevalent

Emphasizes widespread existence, altering the focus from the rate of occurrence to the scope of distribution.

too commonplace

Highlights the lack of uniqueness or specialness due to common occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "too frequent" in a sentence?

You can use "too frequent" to describe something that happens more often than is desirable or acceptable. For example, "The errors in his report were becoming "too frequent"".

What are some alternatives to "too frequent"?

Some alternatives to "too frequent" include "too common", "too numerous", or "overly frequent", depending on the specific context.

Is "too frequent" formal or informal?

"Too frequent" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. In very casual settings, using "too often" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "too frequent" and "very frequent"?

"Too frequent" implies that the frequency is excessive and undesirable, while "very frequent" simply indicates a high rate of occurrence without necessarily implying a negative connotation.