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    frequently vs periodically

    Sources

    In der Abwesenheitsnotiz eines Kunden können die Mitarbeiter angeben, wie Sie Ihren email-Account in der Abwesenheit pflegen. Es gibt die Kategorien:

    "will not read email"

    "will check my account frequently"

    "will check my account periodically"

    Als Nicht-Muttersprachler erschließt sich für mich der Unterschied zwischen frequently und periodically hier nicht, da ich beides intuitiv mit "gelegentlich" übersetzen würde.

    Author Eckibaer (1324344) 31 May 23, 12:54
    Comment

    Frequently = often

    Periodically = from time to time, occasionally

    #1Author CM2DD (236324) 31 May 23, 13:00
    Comment

    In this context, I would understand frequently to mean often and periodically to mean once in a while.

    (CM2DD was faster and I hadn't refreshed.)

    #2Author hbberlin (420040)  31 May 23, 13:03
    Comment

    Vom Wort her könnte es durchaus "in regelmäßigen Abständen" bedeuten, aber hier höre ich auch eher die Bedeutung "gelegentlich" - im Gegensatz zu frequently, häufig / oft.

    #3Author reverend (314585) 31 May 23, 13:09
    Sources
    Comment

    frequently = häufig

    periodically = regelmäßig immer wieder


    Ich verstehe "periodically" als "fairly often and regularly" (s. Definition oben). Das ist weniger oft als "frequently", aber im Gegensatz dazu systematisch und konsequent. "Gelegentlich" wäre seltener als alle beiden Optionen.

    #4AuthorRominara (1294573)  31 May 23, 13:48
    Comment

    Ich verstehe hier

    f - häufige Abwesenheit (nur selten und unregelmäig anwesend)

    und

    r - regelmäßige Abwesenheit (z.B. immer an bestimmten Wochentagen oder bestimmten Terminen im Monat abwesend)

    #5Author no me bré (700807)  31 May 23, 13:52
    Comment

    periodically = regelmäßig immer wieder ... Das ist weniger oft als "frequently", aber im Gegensatz dazu systematisch und konsequent

    I know that the dictionary definitions include the sense of "regularly"/"regelmäßig," but they also include the sense of "from time to time" -- and that is how "periodically" is being used here. Thus, the e-mails will not be read "systematisch und konsequent."


    Re #5: The OP is about an (automatic) out-of-office reply and how often e-mails will be checked while the person is away, not how often they are out of the office.


    #6Author hbberlin (420040) 31 May 23, 14:02
    Comment

    Are you suggesting that "periodically" and "from time to time" are synonymous? Could that be an Americanism?


    In fact, Merriam-Webster gives "from time to time" as one of two separate meanings, but, oddly, equates it with "frequently"

    Periodically Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster


    The bulk of dictionary definitions do not mention the sense of "once in a while" at all:

    Periodic Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

    PERIODICALLY | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

    periodic | meaning of periodic in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English | LDOCE (ldoceonline.com)

    #7AuthorRominara (1294573)  31 May 23, 14:13
    Comment

    Are you suggesting that "periodically" and "from time to time" are synonymous?

    I guess I'm saying that they can be used synonymously, not that they always are. (But what should I know? I've only been speaking English for over 60 years.).


    Could that be an Americanism?

    Could be. A native BE speaker would need to provide input as to such a usage takes place in BE.

    AHD also includes the "from time to time" sense (and, unlike M-W, says nothing about "frequently"):


    adj.

    1. Having or marked by repeated cycles: periodic oscillations.

    2. Happening or appearing regularly or from time to time: periodic dental checkups; periodic rain showers.

    3. Characterized by periodic sentences.


    Note that "regularly" and "from time to time" are separated by "or."

     

    #8Author hbberlin (420040) 31 May 23, 14:36
    Sources

    1.

     a. At regularly recurring or definite intervals. Now chiefly Science.

    ...

    b. From time to time, occasionally.


    Comment

    I wouldn't say it's an Americanism, no. The OED has examples of 1a. dating back to 1646, and the examples from 1b. start in 1825, so apparently the second meaning is more modern, but it's well-established.

    If you think about it, you can see why people would understand it that way: "occasionally" or "from time to time" mean the same thing, etymologically: at intervals.

    #9Author CM2DD (236324) 31 May 23, 14:37
    Comment

    Falls das noch nicht klar wurde:

    Gemeint ist, dass man seine E-Mails entweder oft oder nur ab und zu abruft.

    #10Author penguin (236245) 31 May 23, 14:42
    Comment

    #9 Thanks. Good to know!

    #10 +1

    #11Author hbberlin (420040) 31 May 23, 14:50
    Comment

    In #0 steht:

    In der Abwesenheitsnotiz eines Kunden können die Mitarbeiter angeben, wie Sie Ihren email-Account in der

    Abwesenheit pflegen.

    Nein, bitte. Korrektur für Eckibaer:  

    In der Abwesenheitsnotiz eines Kunden können die Mitarbeiter angeben, wie sie ihren email-Account in der Abwesenheit pflegen.

    #12Author Seltene Erde (1378604) 31 May 23, 17:06
     
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