Meaning & use
frequently
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Meanings
adverb
many times, especially over a period of time; often
Grammar: An adverb of frequency. It usually comes before the main verb but after be: She frequently calls. / He is frequently late.
Patterns
- frequently + verb
- be + frequently + adjective
- frequently + past participle
She frequently works late on Fridays.
This problem is frequently discussed in the news.
Trains to the city run frequently during rush hour.
adverb
in many cases or among many people; commonly
Grammar: Used to talk about how common something is, often before an adjective or past participle: frequently seen, frequently used.
Patterns
- frequently + adjective
- frequently + past participle
- frequently + noun
This bird is frequently seen near lakes.
The word is frequently used in academic writing.
Such mistakes are frequently made by beginners.
Word forms
| comparative | more frequently |
|---|---|
| superlative | most frequently |
Common combinations
- happen frequently
- Power cuts happen frequently in this area.
- frequently asked questions
- Check the frequently asked questions before you call us.
- frequently used
- These are the most frequently used words in English.
- frequently updated
- The website is frequently updated with new photos.
- more frequently than
- She visits her parents more frequently than I do.
Synonyms and how they differ
- often
- Often is the everyday word; frequently sounds slightly more formal and often suggests a regular pattern.
- regularly
- Regularly stresses a fixed rhythm or schedule, while frequently only says it happens many times.
- repeatedly
- Repeatedly means again and again, often in an annoying way, and does not suggest a normal pattern.
- commonly
- Commonly means 'by many people' or 'in many places'; frequently is about how often.
Opposites
Word family
- frequent adjective
- Happening often: a frequent visitor.
- frequency noun
- The rate at which something happens.
- infrequently adverb
- Not often; rarely.
Commonly confused: frequently or constantly? frequently or usually?
frequently vs constantly
Constantly means without stopping, while frequently means many times with breaks in between.
frequently vs usually
Usually means on most occasions; frequently means on many occasions but not necessarily most.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
Frequently goes after the verb be, so 'is frequently late' is correct. Before a main verb it would come first: 'He frequently arrives late.'
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “frequently”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.