fréquemment

Fréquemment is a French adverb meaning frequently or often. It is used to describe how often an action occurs or the regularity of an event. In everyday use, it conveys a measured sense of repetition, and it is common in both written and spoken French, though it can sound more formal or precise than the everyday synonym souvent.

Etymology and form: The word comes from the adjective fréquent, itself from Latin frequent- “crowded, frequent,” with the suffix -ment to form an adverb. As an adverb, fréquemment typically modifies a verb or a participle, indicating how often something happens.

Usage notes: Fréquemment is appropriate for describing repeated or habitual actions, regular patterns, or recurring situations. It often appears in formal writing, journalism, or analytical contexts. In everyday speech, speakers may prefer souvent, which is more colloquial, or regularly, depending on the nuance desired. The typical word order places fréquemment after the verb or after a compound verb: Il voyage fréquemment pour son travail.

Synonyms and contrast: Common synonyms include souvent and régulièrement. Antonyms include rarement and occasionnellement, which express infrequency or sporadic occurrence.

Examples:

- Il voyage fréquemment pour son travail.

- Le problème est fréquemment évoqué lors des réunions.

- Ce parc est fréquemment visité par les habitants du quartier.

See also: fréquemment is related to fréquence (frequency) and fréquent (adjective), from which it derives its meaning and usage.