In this question, which asks for transforming a sentence from passive voice to active, I left a comment as
It's quite often to hear such rumors these days.
However, @Brillig told me that sentence is not grammatically correct.
I want to know which part of this sentence is at odds with grammar. I am saying that because I asked them if my sentence is unidiomatic or ungrammatical and they said it's ungrammatical.
Answer
The sentence structure with the copula 'be' requires a complement. An adjective, a noun or a noun phrase must follow is. But there is none of these things in the sentence.
The problem is with the word "often". It is an adverb (of frequency) and as such it is used for modifying action verbs or adjectives (none of which is the case). As an adverb it cannot be a complement of the sentence subject "it".
A correct sentence would be:
It's quite common to hear such rumors these days.
where common is an adjective, hence fulfilling the minimal requirement for completing the phrase "It is quite...".
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