too frequently

USAGE SUMMARY

"too frequently" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happens more often than desired or more often than expected. Example: We've been eating out too frequently lately, and it's been wreaking havoc on our budget.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— too frequently.

The New Yorker

Too frequently.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Too frequently, they rip.

The New York Times

Can public opinion be measured too frequently?

The New York Times

However, it still occurs too frequently.

The Guardian

All too frequently they lose their lives.

The Guardian

Jacksonville too frequently lost both line battles.

The New York Times - Sports

But they do, and too frequently.

The Guardian

Hopkins found his diction too frequently "Parnassian".

The Guardian - Books

But all too frequently, Clément's humour misfires.

The Guardian - Music

I see this all too frequently.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "too frequently", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being done or occurring more often than desired. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "too frequently" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Vary your language with alternatives like "often", "repeatedly", or more specific descriptions of frequency to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too frequently" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the frequency of an action or event. Ludwig examples show its use to express that something occurs more often than is desired or acceptable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

21%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

9%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "too frequently" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to express that something happens more often than desired or acceptable. According to Ludwig, it's commonly employed in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While grammatically correct, overuse in formal writing can be repetitive. Consider alternatives like "very often" or "excessively often" for stylistic variation. When incorporating "too frequently" into your writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what is occurring with undesirable frequency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all too often

This phrase emphasizes the negative consequences of the high frequency.

very often

This alternative uses simpler vocabulary and emphasizes the high occurrence rate.

excessively often

This alternative highlights the excessive nature of the frequency.

repeatedly

This alternative uses a single word to convey the repeated nature of the occurrences.

with undue frequency

This phrase suggests that the frequency is inappropriate or unwarranted.

more often than is desirable

This alternative explicitly states that the frequency is undesirable.

unduly often

This phrase suggests the frequency is inappropriate or unjustified.

on too many occasions

This alternative focuses on the number of instances.

with excessive regularity

This alternative emphasizes the regularity of the excessive occurrences.

over and over again

This is a more emphatic and informal way of saying something happens frequently.

FAQs

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

You can use "too frequently" to describe actions or events that happen more often than is desirable or expected. For example, "We eat out "too frequently", which is straining our budget".

What are some alternatives to "too frequently"?

Some alternatives include "very often", "all too often", or "excessively often", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "too frequently" or "very frequently"?

"Too frequently" implies a negative connotation, suggesting something happens more often than desired, while "very frequently" simply indicates a high rate of occurrence without necessarily implying a negative impact. Choose based on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "too frequently" and "frequently"?

"Frequently" simply means 'often'. Adding "too" implies that the frequency is excessive or undesirable. Thus, ""too frequently"" adds a sense of disapproval or concern about the frequency.