Frequently vs Not every day but almost

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Frequently

Top 1,000 (very common)B1adverb

Not every day but almost

Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Frequently
 FrequentlyNot every day but almost
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ˈfriːkwəntli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfriːkwəntli/"]/🇬🇧 //nɒt ˈɛvri deɪ bʌt ˈɔːlməʊst//🇺🇸 //nɑt ˈɛvri deɪ bʌt ˈɔlmoʊst//
Meaninghappens oftenNot every day, but nearly every day.
ExampleBuses run frequently between the city and the airport.I go jogging not every day but almost.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelB1-
Part of speechadverb
Collocationsfrequently asked questions, frequently used, frequently occurring, frequently visit, frequently travelnot every day but almost, visit not every day but almost, do not every day but almost
Antonymsseldom, rarely, infrequently-
Common mistakesOften confused with 'occasionally' which implies less frequency., Misplaced emphasis when used in phrases, e.g., 'I frequently did' instead of 'I did frequently.', Using 'frequently' in contexts where 'always' or 'never' would be more suitable.Confused with 'sometimes' or 'every day'., Using it in too formal contexts can sound awkward.
Usage notesUse 'frequently' in both written and spoken contexts to indicate a high frequency of occurrence. It's appropriate in formal writing but can also be used informally. Avoid using in very casual contexts where slang or simpler terms are more natural.Use this phrase to indicate that something happens frequently, but not every day. It’s suitable for both spoken and written contexts but is more conversational.

See it in real clips

Not every day but almost

Frequently asked questions: Frequently vs Not every day but almost

What's the difference between Frequently and Not every day but almost?

Frequently: happens often Not every day but almost: Not every day, but nearly every day.

Which is more common: Frequently and Not every day but almost?

Frequently is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Frequently: Buses run frequently between the city and the airport. Not every day but almost: I go jogging not every day but almost.

Can I use Frequently and Not every day but almost interchangeably?

Not always. Frequently and Not every day but almost are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

Related comparisons